First-Half Futility Is a Record Low

Cliff Robinson scored 17 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter to help the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets, 74-53, Saturday night after the teams combined for the lowest-scoring first half in NBA history.

Denver led, 29-28, at halftime, and the 57 combined points broke a 47-year-old record by one point. The Nuggets shot 37.5% in the half and committed eight turnovers. The Pistons shot 29% and had 11 turnovers.

Detroit set a franchise record for points given up and it was the lowest-scoring game in Piston history.

The Nuggets set a team record for fewest points in a game. Denver shot 32.8% and finished with 22 turnovers.

Detroit outscored Denver, 18-12, in the third quarter for a 46-41 lead.

Detroit started the fourth quarter with a 7-2 run, extending its lead to 53-43 with 7:10 to play. Denver turned the ball over four times in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter.

The previous record of 58 points in a first half was set by Syracuse and Fort Wayne at Buffalo, N.Y., on Jan. 25, 1955, and was tied by Dallas and Indiana on Feb. 13, 1998.