1. Julius Erving vs. San Diego Conquistadors, Feb. 22, 1975
Eight days after scoring a career-high 63 points in a 176-166 four-overtime loss to the San Diego Conquistadors, Julius Erving had a little something more for the Q’s when San Diego visited Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Feb. 22, 1975.
The win over the Nets had sparked the Q’s to four straight victories as they entered the game with a 25-37 record, including a win at Kentucky the previous night.
The Nets had won two straight and were 42-16 as San Diego arrived.
After a competitive first half in which the Nets led 57-56 at the break, New York turned up the heat on the Conquistadors after intermission, outscoring the Q’s 69-37 in the second half en route to a 126-93 blowout victory.
Erving once again led the way for the Nets, this time in a win, finishing with 51 points, 19 rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks while hitting 19-of-23 from the floor and 13-of-15 at the line.
In a three-year stint with New York filled with great performances, this one tops the list.
It was part of a season in which Erving won his second straight ABA MVP award (sharing the honor with Indiana’s George McGinnis), while averaging 27.9 points, 10.8 rebunds, 5.5 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.9 blocks in 40.5 minutes per game on .506/.333/.799 shooting.