Happy birthday, Colorado — and Colorado sports.
Leading into the state’s 150th birthday Aug. 1, The Denver Gazette has partnered with the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame to publicize the definitive list of Colorado’s top 150 sports moments.
Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian Dave Plati and a committee of 10 compiled and will release the list every week until the No. 1 moment on July 31. Plati and Broncos icon Jim Saccomano will unveil the list weekly on a Colorado Sports Hall of Fame podcast at coloradosports.org/podcast/.
No. 113
Dec. 13, 1983
The highest-scoring game in NBA history took place at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver. The Nuggets and Detroit Pistons combined for 370 points in a three-overtime thriller. The Pistons left town with a 186-184 win. It was tied at 74 at halftime and 145 at the end of regulation. While the Nuggets and Pistons combined to take 251 shots, each team was just 1-of-2 from 3-point range. Thus, 140 of the 142 field goals were traditional two-point baskets. Six players scored 28 or more points. Four had over 40, with Denver’s Kiki Vandeweghe leading all scorers with 51, Alex English adding 47 and Dan Issel 28. Detroit was led by Isaiah Thomas with 47 points and John Long’s 41.
—Dave Plati, Colorado Sports Hall of Fame historian