2015–16 Cleveland Cavaliers season

2015–16 Cleveland Cavaliers season
NBA champions
Conference champions
Division champions
Head coach
General managerDavid Griffin
Owner(s)Dan Gilbert
ArenaQuicken Loans Arena
Results
Record57–25 (.695)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Central)
Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Champions
(Defeated Warriors 4–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionFox Sports Ohio
Radio
< 2014–15 2016–17 >
(Photo from 2016 to 2017 season) Team captain forward LeBron James played his ninth season with Cleveland (and the second of his second stint). He was an All-Star for the twelfth time in his career, was named to the All-NBA First Team, and was named Finals MVP after leading the Cavaliers back from a 3–1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors for the franchise's first NBA title.

The 2015–16 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 46th season of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA championship, the first NBA championship in franchise history. During the regular season, the Cavaliers had the third best team offensive rating and were tenth in team defensive rating in the NBA. During the playoffs, the Cavaliers had the best team offensive rating and were eighth in team defensive rating in the NBA.

In the playoffs, the Cavaliers swept the Detroit Pistons in four games in the first round, then swept the Atlanta Hawks in four games in the Semi-finals, before finally defeating the Toronto Raptors in six games in the Conference Finals to reach the NBA Finals for a second consecutive year. There, the Cavaliers faced off against the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors, the team that defeated them in the previous year's NBA Finals in six games, and were coming off of a record-breaking regular season, where the team posted a league-best 73–9 record.

The Cavaliers would go on to defeat the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals in seven games, coming back from a 3–1 series deficit to avenge their loss from the prior year. The Cavaliers became the first team in NBA Finals history to recover from a 3–1 series deficit and win.[1] The Cavaliers' victory also marked the first championship win by a major professional sports team from Cleveland since 1964, ending a 52–year championship drought dating back to the 1964 NFL title won by the Cleveland Browns. The Cleveland Cavaliers would be the first NBA champion to represent the Central Division since the 2003–04 Detroit Pistons.

Regular season summary

The Cavaliers started the season strong and rose to the top of the Eastern Conference. However, despite having the best record in their conference, the team fired head coach David Blatt on January 22, 2016.[2] Assistant coach Tyronn Lue took over for the remainder of the season.[3] The Cavaliers finished the regular season with a 57–25 record and obtained the number one seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2010.[4]

Team captain guard Kyrie Irving played his fifth season with Cleveland and hit the go-ahead shot in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Postseason summary

In the 2016 NBA Playoffs' first round, the Cleveland Cavaliers matched up against the 8th seed Detroit Pistons. In the first game of their series, Cleveland's point guard Kyrie Irving led the way scoring 31 points and sealing a win for the Cavaliers, 106–101.[5] The Cavs swept the rest of the series, winning 107–90 in Game 2, 101–91 in Game 3, and 100–98 in Game 4.[6] Kyrie Irving was the top scorer of the series averaging 27.5 points per game,[7] LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers in this series in assist and steals, averaging 6.8 assists and 1.8 steals,[8] and big man Kevin Love led Cleveland in rebounds averaging 12 total rebounds per game.[9] The Cavaliers were matched with the number four seed, Atlanta Hawks, for their second series in the 2015-2016 post-season. Similar to their last series, they swept their opponents 4–0.[10] Lebron James led the way in scoring, averaging 24.3 points per game. He also led his team in assists and steals, averaging 7.8 assists and 3 steals per game.[11] Kevin Love was the rebound leader for the series averaging 13 rebounds per game.[12] The Cavaliers were now facing the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Finals. The series between the Raptors and the Cavaliers took 6 games to finish with Cleveland winning 4 to 2. This was the first time in their 2015-2016 playoff run that they lost a game.[13] Lebron James led his team in all major stats against the Toronto Raptors. He averaged 26 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in the 6-game series.[14] The Cavaliers were off to face the Golden State Warriors in the NBA finals. They were considered huge underdogs because the Warriors had accomplished an incredible feat in the regular season, seventy-three wins and nine losses, the best record ever in the NBA.[15]

The Cavaliers lost three of the first four games of the 2016 NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors, who had defeated Cleveland in the Finals the year before.[16] The first two games were blowouts for Golden State, 104–89 and 110–77 respectively, combining for a total winning margin of 48. Cleveland would respond with a 120–90 blowout of their own to cut the series deficit to 2–1, but the Warriors would pull away late in Game 4 to take a decisive 3–1 series lead. In turn, the Cavaliers won Games 5 and 6 of the series to bring about a climactic Game 7 at Oracle Arena.[17]

With Game 7 tied at 89–89, LeBron James chased down and blocked Andre Iguodala's attempted lay-up in a play that became known as "The Block."[18][19] The Cavaliers ultimately won Game 7, 93–89, for the first NBA championship in franchise history.[17] Until then, no team had recovered from a 3–1 deficit in an NBA Finals series.[1] James was named the unanimous NBA Finals MVP, receiving the award for the third time in his career.[18]

This win ended a fifty-two year championship drought in the city of Cleveland, with the last championship that any major sports team had won there being in 1964 when the Cleveland Browns won an NFL season.[20] When the game ended, it was visible the sense of relief that the players felt. Lebron James was the star of the show, and he could not hold his tears back. When he finally got the strength to stand up, the only thing that he was able to say was, "Cleveland, this is for you," as the Oracle Arena blasted with cheers from Cleveland fans.[21] Not only was this a monumental win for the Cleveland Cavaliers, it also cemented Lebron James as one of the all-time greats of the NBA.[22] Prior to this ring, he had only won with the Miami Heat. The win in Cleveland was undoubtedly one of the best basketball performances the NBA has ever seen.[23]

Draft picks

Main article: 2015 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/Club team
1 24 Tyus Jones PG  United States Duke
2 53 Sir'Dominic Pointer SG / SF  United States St. John's

Roster

2015–16 Cleveland Cavaliers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 9 Frye, Channing 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1983-05-17 Arizona
PG 8 Dellavedova, Matthew 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 1990-09-08 Saint Mary’s
PG 2 Irving, Kyrie 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1992-03-23 Duke
SF 23 James, LeBron 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1984-12-30 St. Vincent–St. Mary HS (OH)
SF 24 Jefferson, Richard 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 233 lb (106 kg) 1980-06-21 Arizona
SF 30 Jones, Dahntay 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1980-12-27 Duke
SF 1 Jones, James 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1980-10-04 Miami (FL)
C 14 Kaun, Sasha 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1985-05-08 Kansas
PF 0 Love, Kevin 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 251 lb (114 kg) 1988-09-07 UCLA
PG 12 McRae, Jordan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 1991-03-28 Tennessee
C 20 Mozgov, Timofey 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 275 lb (125 kg) 1986-07-16 Russia
SG 4 Shumpert, Iman 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1990-06-26 Georgia Tech
SG 5 Smith, J. R. 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1985-09-09 St. Benedict's Prep (NJ)
F/C 13 Thompson, Tristan 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 238 lb (108 kg) 1991-03-13 Texas
PG 52 Williams, Mo 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 1982-12-19 Alabama
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 13, 2016

Player statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

Player GP GS MIN FG% FT% 3FG% STL BLK AST REB PTS
LeBron James 76 76 35.6 52.0% 73.1% 30.9% 1.4 .60 6.8 7.4 25.3
Kyrie Irving 53 53 31.5 44.8% 88.5% 32.1% 1.1 .30 4.7 3.0 19.6
Kevin Love 77 77 31.5 41.9% 82.2% 36.0% .80 .50 2.4 9.9 16.0
J.R. Smith 77 77 30.7 41.5% 63.4% 40.0% 1.1 .30 1.7 2.8 12.4
Tristan Thompson 82 34 27.7 58.8% 61.6% 0% .50 .60 .6 9.0 7.8
Matthew Dellavedova 76 14 24.6 40.5% 86.4% 41.0% .60 .10 4.4 2.1 7.5
Iman Shumpert 54 5 24.4 37.4% 78.4% 29.5% 1.0 .40 1.7 3.8 5.8
Mo Williams 41 14 18.2 43.7% 90.5% 35.3% .30 .10 2.4 1.9 8.2
Richard Jefferson 74 5 17.9 45.8% 66.7% 38.2% .40 .20 .8 1.7 5.5
Timofey Mozgov 76 48 17.4 56.5% 71.6% 14.3% .30 .80 .4 4.4 6.3
Channing Frye 26 3 17.2 44.1% 78.6% 37.7% .30 .30 1.0 3.6 7.5
Anderson Varejao 31 0 10.0 42.1% 76.2% 0% .40 .20 .6 2.9 2.6
James Jones 48 0 9.6 40.8% 80.8% 39.4% .20 .20 .3 1.0 3.7
Jared Cunningham 40 3 8.9 35.2% 62.5% 31.3% .30 .10 .5 0.7 2.6
Jordan McRae 15 1 7.5 44.2% 69.2% 63.6% .00 .10 1.0 0.8 4.1
Sasha Kaun 25 0 3.8 52.9% 45.5% 0% .20 .20 .10 1.0 0.9
Joe Harris 5 0 3.0 25.0% 0% 25.0% .00 .00 0.4 .6 0.6

[24]

Standings

Eastern Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1c – Cleveland Cavaliers *5725.695–82
2y – Toronto Raptors *5626.6831.082
3y – Miami Heat *4834.5859.082
4x – Atlanta Hawks4834.5859.082
5x – Boston Celtics4834.5859.082
6x – Charlotte Hornets4834.5859.082
7x – Indiana Pacers4537.54912.082
8x – Detroit Pistons4438.53713.082
9Chicago Bulls4240.51215.082
10Washington Wizards4141.50016.082
11Orlando Magic3547.42722.082
12Milwaukee Bucks3349.40224.082
13New York Knicks3250.39025.082
14Brooklyn Nets2161.25636.082
15Philadelphia 76ers1072.12247.082
Central DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
c – Cleveland Cavaliers5725.695–33‍–‍824‍–‍178–882
x – Indiana Pacers4537.54912.026‍–‍1519‍–‍228–882
x – Detroit Pistons4438.53713.026‍–‍1518‍–‍2310–682
Chicago Bulls4240.51215.026‍–‍1516‍–‍2510–682
Milwaukee Bucks3349.40224.023‍–‍1810‍–‍314–1282

Preseason

2015 pre-season game log
Total: 1–6 (Home: 1–4; Road: 0–2)
Pre-season: 1–6 (home: 1–4; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 7
7:00 pm 		Atlanta 96–98 J. R. Smith (15) LeBron James (7) LeBron James (5) Cintas Center
10,250 		0–1
2 October 8
7:00 pm 		@ Philadelphia 114–115 Jared Cunningham (31) Austin Daye (9) Matthew Dellavedova (5) Wells Fargo Center
8,229 		0–2
3 October 12
7:00 pm 		Memphis 81–91 LeBron James (14) Anderson Varejão (7) Matthew Dellavedova (4) Schottenstein Center
18,073 		0–3
4 October 13
7:00 pm 		Milwaukee 101–110 Mo Williams (18) Kaun, Williams (6) Cook, Williams (4) Quicken Loans Arena
18,624 		0–4
5 October 15
7:00 pm 		Indiana 85–107 Timofey Mozgov (16) Anderson Varejão (7) Jared Cunningham (6) Quicken Loans Arena
18,774 		0–5
6 October 18
8:00 pm 		@ Toronto 81–87 Mo Williams (13) Timofey Mozgov (11) Dellavedova, Varejão (5) Air Canada Centre
19,800 		0–6
7 October 19
7:00 pm 		Dallas 103–97 J. R. Smith (19) Jack Cooley (15) Cunningham, Dellavedova (5) Quicken Loans Arena
18,768 		1–6
2015–16 season schedule

Regular season game log

2015–16 game log
Total: 57–25 (Home: 33–8; Road: 24–17)
October: 2–1 (home: 1–0; road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 27 @ Chicago L 95–97 LeBron James (25) Tristan Thompson (12) Mo Williams (7) United Center
21,957 		0–1
2 October 28 @ Memphis W 106–76 Kevin Love (17) Kevin Love (13) J. R. Smith (7) FedExForum
18,119 		1–1
3 October 30 Miami W 102–92 LeBron James (29) Kevin Love (14) Matthew Dellavedova (10) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		2–1
November : 11–3 (home: 8–0; road: 3–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
4 November 2 @ Philadelphia W 107–100 LeBron James (22) James, Thompson (9) LeBron James (11) Wells Fargo Center
18,094 		3–1
5 November 4 New York W 96–86 LeBron James (23) Tristan Thompson (13) Matthew Dellavedova (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		4–1
6 November 6 Philadelphia W 108–102 LeBron James (31) Kevin Love (14) LeBron James (13) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		5–1
7 November 8 Indiana W 101–97 LeBron James (29) Kevin Love (15) Matthew Dellavedova (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		6–1
8 November 10 Utah W 118–114 LeBron James (31) Kevin Love (8) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		7–1
9 November 13 @ New York W 90–84 LeBron James (31) Kevin Love (11) LeBron James (6) Madison Square Garden
19,812 		8–1
10 November 14 @ Milwaukee L 105–108 (2OT) LeBron James (37) Kevin Love (14) Matthew Dellavedova (7) BMO Harris Bradley Center
18,717 		8–2
11 November 17 @ Detroit L 99–104 LeBron James (30) Love, Thompson (9) Mo Williams (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
18,442 		8–3
12 November 19 Milwaukee W 115–100 LeBron James (27) Kevin Love (15) Matthew Dellavedova (13) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		9–3
13 November 21 Atlanta W 109–97 Kevin Love (25) Tristan Thompson (16) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		10–3
14 November 23 Orlando W 117–103 Kevin Love (34) Tristan Thompson (14) LeBron James (13) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		11–3
15 November 25 @ Toronto L 99–103 LeBron James (24) Kevin Love (13) LeBron James (8) Air Canada Centre
20,140 		11–4
16 November 27 @ Charlotte W 95–90 LeBron James (25) Kevin Love (16) James, Dellavedova (5) Time Warner Cable Arena
19,093 		12–4
17 November 28 Brooklyn W 90–88 James, Love (26) Tristan Thompson (11) Matthew Dellavedova (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		13–4
December : 8–5 (home: 4–1; road: 4–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
18 December 1 Washington L 85–97 LeBron James (24) LeBron James (13) LeBron James (4) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		13–5
19 December 4 @ New Orleans L 108–114 (OT) LeBron James (37) Love, Thompson (10) LeBron James (8) Smoothie King Center
17,906 		13–6
20 December 5 @ Miami L 84–99 Richard Jefferson (18) Kevin Love (8) Matthew Dellavedova (5) American Airlines Arena
19,600 		13–7
21 December 8 Portland W 105–100 LeBron James (33) LeBron James (10) Kevin Love (4) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		14–7
22 December 11 @ Orlando W 111–76 LeBron James (25) Kevin Love (13) LeBron James (8) Amway Center
17,239 		15–7
23 December 15 @ Boston W 89–77 LeBron James (24) Timofey Mozgov (10) Kevin Love (5) TD Garden
18,624 		16–7
24 December 17 Oklahoma City W 104–100 LeBron James (33) Tristan Thompson (15) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		17–7
25 December 20 Philadelphia W 108–86 LeBron James (23) Timofey Mozgov (8) Irving, James, Smith, Shumpert (4) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		18–7
26 December 23 New York W 91–84 LeBron James (24) Kevin Love (13) Matthew Dellavedova (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		19–7
27 December 25 @ Golden State L 83–89 LeBron James (25) Kevin Love (18) Kevin Love (4) Oracle Arena
19,596 		19–8
28 December 26 @ Portland L 76–105 Kevin Love (13) Tristan Thompson (11) Matthew Dellavedova (6) Moda Center
19,393 		19–9
29 December 28 @ Phoenix W 101–97 Kyrie Irving (22) Tristan Thompson (10) LeBron James (7) Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,319 		20–9
30 December 29 @ Denver W 93–87 LeBron James (34) Kevin Love (14) Matthew Dellavedova (5) Pepsi Center
17,523 		21–9
January : 13–3 (home: 6–2; road: 7–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
31 January 2 Orlando W 104–79 LeBron James (29) Kevin Love (13) Matthew Dellavedova (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		22–9
32 January 4 Toronto W 122–100 Kyrie Irving (25) Tristan Thompson (11) Kyrie Irving (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		23–9
33 January 6 @ Washington W 121–115 LeBron James (34) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (4) Verizon Center
20,356 		24–9
34 January 8 @ Minnesota W 125–99 J.R. Smith (27) LeBron James (12) LeBron James (8) Target Center
16,768 		25–9
35 January 10 @ Philadelphia W 95–85 LeBron James (37) Kevin Love (15) LeBron James (9) Wells Fargo Center
19,226 		26–9
36 January 12 @ Dallas W 110–107 (OT) LeBron James (27) Kevin Love (11) Kyrie Irving (9) American Airlines Center
20,347 		27–9
37 January 14 @ San Antonio L 95–99 LeBron James (22) Tristan Thompson (11) LeBron James (4) AT&T Center
18,418 		27–10
38 January 15 @ Houston W 91–77 Kyrie Irving (23) Kevin Love (13) LeBron James (7) Toyota Center
18,320 		28–10
39 January 18 Golden State L 98–132 LeBron James (16) Kevin Love (6) Matthew Dellavedova (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		28–11
40 January 20 @ Brooklyn W 91–78 James, Love (17) Kevin Love (18) Irving, James (5) Barclays Center
17,732 		29–11
41 January 21 L.A. Clippers W 115–102 James, Smith (22) Kevin Love (16) LeBron James (12) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		30–11
42 January 23 Chicago L 83–96 LeBron James (26) LeBron James (13) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		30–12
43 January 25 Minnesota W 114–107 LeBron James (25) Tristan Thompson (12) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		31–12
44 January 27 Phoenix W 115–93 James, Love (21) Kevin Love (11) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		32–12
45 January 29 @ Detroit W 114–106 Kevin Love (29) Tristan Thompson (14) LeBron James (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,012 		33–12
46 January 30 San Antonio W 117–103 LeBron James (29) Kevin Love (11) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		34–12
February : 8–5 (home: 6–2; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
47 February 1 @ Indiana W 111–106 (OT) Kyrie Irving (25) James, Thompson (12) Kyrie Irving (7) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
17,283 		35–12
48 February 3 @ Charlotte L 97–106 Kyrie Irving (26) Kevin Love (12) LeBron James (6) Time Warner Cable Arena
19,189 		35–13
49 February 5 Boston L 103–104 LeBron James (30) Tristan Thompson (10) Kyrie Irving (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		35–14
50 February 6 New Orleans W 99–84 Kyrie Irving (29) Tristan Thompson (15) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		36–14
51 February 8 Sacramento W 120–100 Kyrie Irving (32) James, Thompson (10) Kyrie Irving (12) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		37–14
52 February 10 L.A. Lakers W 120–111 Kyrie Irving (35) Tristan Thompson (13) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		38–14
All-Star Break
53 February 18 Chicago W 106–95 LeBron James (25) Kevin Love (12) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		39–14
54 February 21 @ Oklahoma City W 115–92 Kevin Love (29) Tristan Thompson (11) LeBron James (9) Chesapeake Energy Arena
18,203 		40–14
55 February 22 Detroit L 88–96 Kyrie Irving (30) LeBron James (8) Irving, James (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		40–15
56 February 24 Charlotte W 114–103 Irving, James (23) Tristan Thompson (10) Dellavedova, James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		41–15
57 February 26 @ Toronto L 97–99 LeBron James (25) Tristan Thompson (9) LeBron James (7) Air Canada Centre
19,800 		41–16
58 February 28 @ Washington L 99–115 Kyrie Irving (28) Timofey Mozgov (10) Kyrie Irving (6) Verizon Center
20,356 		41–17
59 February 29 Indiana W 100–96 LeBron James (33) Tristan Thompson (11) Irving, Love (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		42–17
March : 11–5 (home: 6–2; road: 5–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
60 March 4 Washington W 108–83 Kyrie Irving (21) LeBron James (13) Kyrie Irving (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		43–17
61 March 5 Boston W 120–103 LeBron James (28) Iman Shumpert (16) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		44–17
62 March 7 Memphis L 103–106 LeBron James (28) Kevin Love (11) Irving, James (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		44–18
63 March 9 @ Sacramento W 120–111 Kyrie Irving (30) LeBron James (11) LeBron James (6) Sleep Train Arena
17,317 		45–18
64 March 10 @ L.A. Lakers W 120–108 Kyrie Irving (26) Tristan Thompson (14) Kyrie Irving (9) Staples Center
18,997 		46–18
65 March 13 @ L.A. Clippers W 114–90 LeBron James (27) Tristan Thompson (14) Irving, James (5) Staples Center
19,342 		47–18
66 March 14 @ Utah L 85–94 LeBron James (23) LeBron James (12) Matthew Dellavedova (5) Vivint Smart Home Arena
19,911 		47–19
67 March 16 Dallas W 99–98 Kyrie Irving (33) Kevin Love (18) Matthew Dellavedova (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		48–19
68 March 18 @ Orlando W 109–103 Kyrie Irving (26) Tristan Thompson (15) LeBron James (8) Amway Center
18,046 		49–19
69 March 19 @ Miami L 101–122 LeBron James (26) Frye, Jefferson, Mozgov (4) Irving, Shumpert (4) American Airlines Arena
19,737 		49–20
70 March 21 Denver W 124–91 LeBron James (33) LeBron James (11) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		50–20
71 March 23 Milwaukee W 113–104 LeBron James (26) Kevin Love (10) Irving, James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		51–20
72 March 24 @ Brooklyn L 95–104 LeBron James (30) Kevin Love (12) LeBron James (5) Barclays Center
17,732 		51–21
73 March 26 @ New York W 107–93 Kevin Love (28) Kevin Love (12) LeBron James (10) Madison Square Garden
19,812 		52–21
74 March 29 Houston L 100–106 Kyrie Irving (31) Kevin Love (11) Kyrie Irving (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		52–22
75 March 31 Brooklyn W 107–87 LeBron James (24) Kevin Love (10) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		53–22
April : 4–3 (home: 2–1; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
76 April 1 @ Atlanta W 110–108 (OT) LeBron James (29) LeBron James (16) LeBron James (9) Philips Arena
19,427 		54–22
77 April 3 Charlotte W 112–103 LeBron James (31) Kevin Love (9) LeBron James (12) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		55–22
78 April 5 @ Milwaukee W 109–80 J. R. Smith (21) Kevin Love (9) LeBron James (9) BMO Harris Bradley Center
15,061 		56–22
79 April 6 @ Indiana L 109–123 Kyrie Irving (26) Kevin Love (5) Kyrie Irving (6) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
18,165 		56–23
80 April 9 @ Chicago L 102–105 LeBron James (33) Kevin Love (13) Kyrie Irving (8) United Center
22,186 		56–24
81 April 11 Atlanta W 109–94 Kyrie Irving (35) Kevin Love (14) LeBron James (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		57–24
82 April 13 Detroit L 110–112 (OT) Jordan McRae (36) Timofey Mozgov (12) Jordan McRae (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		57–25
2015–16 season schedule

Playoffs

Game log

2016 playoff game log
Total: 16–5 (Home: 9–1; Road: 7–4)
First Round: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 17 Detroit W 106–101 Kyrie Irving (31) Kevin Love (13) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		1–0
2 April 20 Detroit W 107–90 LeBron James (27) Kevin Love (10) Matthew Dellavedova (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		2–0
3 April 22 @ Detroit W 101–91 Kyrie Irving (26) LeBron James (13) LeBron James (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,584 		3–0
4 April 24 @ Detroit W 100–98 Kyrie Irving (31) Kevin Love (13) LeBron James (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
21,584 		4–0
Conference Semifinals: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 2 Atlanta W 104–93 LeBron James (25) Tristan Thompson (14) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		1–0
2 May 4 Atlanta W 123–98 LeBron James (27) Kevin Love (13) Dellavedova, Irving (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		2–0
3 May 6 @ Atlanta W 121–108 Channing Frye (27) Kevin Love (15) LeBron James (8) Philips Arena
19,089 		3–0
4 May 8 @ Atlanta W 100–99 Kevin Love (27) Kevin Love (13) LeBron James (9) Philips Arena
19,031 		4–0
Conference Finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 17 Toronto W 115–84 Kyrie Irving (27) Richard Jefferson (11) Kyrie Irving (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		1–0
2 May 19 Toronto W 108–89 Kyrie Irving (26) Tristan Thompson (12) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		2–0
3 May 21 @ Toronto L 84–99 LeBron James (24) James, Thompson (8) LeBron James (5) Air Canada Centre
20,207 		2–1
4 May 23 @ Toronto L 99–105 LeBron James (29) James, Thompson (9) Irving, James (6) Air Canada Centre
20,367 		2–2
5 May 25 Toronto W 116–78 Kevin Love (25) Tristan Thompson (10) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		3–2
6 May 27 @ Toronto W 113–87 LeBron James (33) Kevin Love (12) Kyrie Irving (9) Air Canada Centre
20,605 		4–2
NBA Finals: 4–3 (home: 2–1; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 June 2 @ Golden State L 89–104 Kyrie Irving (26) Kevin Love (13) LeBron James (9) Oracle Arena
19,596 		0–1
2 June 5 @ Golden State L 77–110 LeBron James (19) LeBron James (8) LeBron James (9) Oracle Arena
19,596 		0–2
3 June 8 Golden State W 120–90 LeBron James (32) Tristan Thompson (13) Kyrie Irving (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		1–2
4 June 10 Golden State L 97–108 Kyrie Irving (34) LeBron James (13) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		1–3
5 June 13 @ Golden State W 112–97 James, Irving (41) LeBron James (16) LeBron James (7) Oracle Arena
19,596 		2–3
6 June 16 Golden State W 115–101 LeBron James (41) Tristan Thompson (16) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		3–3
7 June 19 @ Golden State W 93–89 LeBron James (27) Kevin Love (14) LeBron James (11) Oracle Arena
19,596 		4–3
2016 playoff schedule

Transactions

Trades

June 25, 2015 To Cleveland Cavaliers[25]
Rakeem Christmas
Cedi Osman
2019 Second Round Pick 		To Minnesota Timberwolves
Tyus Jones
July 23, 2015 To Cleveland Cavaliers[26]
2019 Second Round Pick 		To Indiana Pacers
Rakeem Christmas
July 27, 2015 To Cleveland Cavaliers[27]
Two Trade Exceptions 		To Portland Trail Blazers
Mike Miller
Brendan Haywood
2019 & 2020 Second Round Pick
January 12, 2016 To Cleveland Cavaliers[28]
2020 Second Round Pick 		To Orlando Magic
Joe Harris
2017 Second Round Pick
February 18, 2016 To Cleveland Cavaliers[29]
Second Round Pick 		To Portland Trail Blazers
Anderson Varejão[1]
First Round Pick
February 18, 2016 To Cleveland Cavaliers[29]
Channing Frye 		To Orlando Magic
Jared Cunningham
Second Round Pick

Free agents

Re-signed

Player Signed Former Team
Iman Shumpert[30] Signed 4-year contract worth $40 million Cleveland Cavaliers
Kevin Love[31] Signed 5-year contract worth $110 million Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James[32] Signed 2-year contract worth $47.9 million Cleveland Cavaliers
James Jones[33] Signed 1-year contract worth $1.5 million Cleveland Cavaliers
Matthew Dellavedova[34] Signed 1-year contract worth $1.2 million Cleveland Cavaliers
J. R. Smith[35] Signed 2-year contract worth $10 million Cleveland Cavaliers
Tristan Thompson[36] Signed 5-year contract worth $82 million Cleveland Cavaliers

Additions

Player Signed Former Team
Mo Williams[37] Signed 2-year contract worth $4 million Charlotte Hornets
Richard Jefferson[38] Signed 1-year contract worth $1.5 million Dallas Mavericks
Sasha Kaun[39] Signed 2-year contract CSKA Moscow
Jordan McRae Signed 2-year contract Delaware 87ers / Phoenix Suns

Subtractions

Player Reason Left New Team
Shawn Marion[40] Retired — (Retired)
Kendrick Perkins[41] Signed 1-year contract worth $1.5 million New Orleans Pelicans
David Blatt (Head coach)[42] Fired Darüşşafaka Doğuş

Awards, records and milestones

Awards

Recipient Award Date awarded Ref.
LeBron James Eastern Conference Player of the Week November 23, 2015 [43]
LeBron James Eastern Conference Player of the Week January 11, 2016 [44]
LeBron James NBA All-Star starter (12th appearance) January 21, 2016 [45]
Tyronn Lue NBA All-Star Game head coach January 27, 2016 [46]
LeBron James Eastern Conference Player of the Month (February) March 3, 2016 [47]
LeBron James Eastern Conference Player of the Week March 7, 2016 [48]
LeBron James Eastern Conference Player of the Week March 28, 2016 [49]
LeBron James Eastern Conference Player of the Week April 4, 2016 [50]
LeBron James Eastern Conference Player of the Month (March) April 5, 2016 [51]
LeBron James Eastern Conference Player of the Month (April) April 15, 2016 [52]
LeBron James All-NBA First Team May 26, 2016 [53]
LeBron James NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award June 19, 2016 [54]
LeBron James Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year December 1, 2016 [55]
LeBron James Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year December 27, 2016 [56]

Records

  • JR Smith set franchise records in:
    • Three-point field goals in a season: (204)
    • Three-point field goal attempts in a season: (510)
    • Turnover percentage in a season: (6.3%)
    • Three-point field goals in a postseason: (65)
  • Tristan Thompson set a franchise record in:
    • Offensive rating in a season: (129.8)

Milestones

  • On March 29, Tristan Thompson broke the franchise record of consecutive games with the Cavs, appearing in his 362nd consecutive game.
  • The Cavs finished the season first in the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2010.
  • The Cavs finished first in the Central Division for the second straight season.
  • The Cavs became the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3–1 deficit and win the NBA Finals.
  • The Cavs won the 2016 NBA Finals, ending the city's 52-year championship drought.
  • LeBron James famously blocked Andre Iguodala in Game 7. This has been called one of the best plays of his career.
  • LeBron James became the third player in NBA history to record a triple-double in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
  • James also became the first player in NBA history to lead both NBA Finals teams in all five statistical categories for the round.

References

  1. ^ a b "Cavaliers become first team to rally from 3–1 series deficit in NBA Finals". ESPN. June 27, 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-06-27.
  2. ^ Brian Windhorst; McMenamin, Dave (January 23, 2016). "David Blatt and the unwinding of his Cleveland tenure". ESPN. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018.
  3. ^ Golliver, Ben (January 22, 2016). "LeBron James-David Blatt disconnect forced Cavs to make coaching change". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018.
  4. ^ Vardon, Joe (April 11, 2016). "LeBron James clearly coveted the No. 1 seed for the Cleveland Cavaliers". cleveland.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018.
  5. ^ "Pistons vs. Cavaliers - Game Summary - April 17, 2016 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  6. ^ "2016 NBA Eastern Conference First Round - Pistons vs. Cavaliers". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  7. ^ Zillgitt, Jeff. "Kyrie Irving leads Cavs in first-round sweep over Pistons". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  8. ^ "2016 NBA Eastern Conference First Round - Pistons vs. Cavaliers". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  9. ^ "2016 NBA Eastern Conference First Round - Pistons vs. Cavaliers". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  10. ^ "LeBron James, Cavs sweep Hawks to return to Eastern Conference Finals | Sporting News". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  11. ^ "2016 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals - Hawks vs. Cavaliers". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  12. ^ "2016 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals - Hawks vs. Cavaliers". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  13. ^ Cato, Tim (May 27, 2016). "LeBron goes to 6th straight Finals with Game 6 win". SBNation.com. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  14. ^ "2016 NBA Eastern Conference Finals - Raptors vs. Cavaliers". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  15. ^ "Warriors reach 73 wins in blowout to set new single-season record". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  16. ^ Cacciola, Scott (June 17, 2015). "Golden State Warriors End N.B.A. Title Drought With Victory Over Cavaliers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  17. ^ a b Cacciola, Scott (June 19, 2016). "Cavaliers Defeat Warriors to Win Their First N.B.A. Title". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  18. ^ a b Arnovitz, Kevin (June 20, 2016). "LeBron James named unanimous Finals MVP after Cavs' Game 7 win". ESPN. Archived from the original on May 12, 2018.
  19. ^ Sharp, Andrew; Golliver, Ben (September 19, 2017). "Reliving LeBron James's Block in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 12, 2018.
  20. ^ McLaughlin, Eliott C. (June 20, 2016). "'Finally, we did it!': Cavs' title ends 52 years of Cleveland sports agony". CNN. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  21. ^ Matistic, Ben (August 7, 2017). ""Cleveland, This is for You."". Commit to Serve. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
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  23. ^ "LeBron brought Cleveland a title with one of the greatest Finals performances ever". For The Win. June 20, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  24. ^ "2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats".
  25. ^ "Cavaliers Acquire Draft Rights to Cedi Osman and Rakeem Christmas from Minnesota". nba.com/cavaliers. June 25, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  26. ^ "Cavs Acquire Second Round Pick from Pacers". nba.com/cavaliers. July 23, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  27. ^ "Cavaliers Complete Trade with Portland". nba.com/cavaliers. July 27, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  28. ^ "Cavaliers Acquire Protected Second Round Pick From Orlando". nba.com/cavaliers. January 12, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  29. ^ a b "Cavaliers Acquire Channing Frye". nba.com/cavaliers. February 18, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  30. ^ "Cavaliers Re-sign Guard Iman Shumpert". nba.com/cavs. July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  31. ^ "Cavaliers Re-sign Forward Kevin Love". nba.com/cavaliers. July 9, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  32. ^ "Cavaliers Re-sign Forward LeBron James". nba.com/cavaliers. July 10, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  33. ^ "Cavaliers Re-sign James Jones". nba.com/cavaliers. July 25, 2015. Archived from the original on June 27, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  34. ^ "Cavs Re-sign Guard Matthew Dellavedova". nba.com/cavaliers. July 27, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  35. ^ "Cavs Re-sign Guard J.R. Smith". nba.com/cavaliers. September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  36. ^ "Cavs Re-Sign Forward Tristan Thompson". nba.com/cavaliers. October 22, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  37. ^ "Cavs Sign guard Mo Williams". nba.com/cavs. July 10, 2015. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  38. ^ "Cavs Sign Forward Richard Jefferson". nba.com/cavs. August 5, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  39. ^ "Cavs Sign Center Sasha Kaun". nba.com/cavs. September 9, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  40. ^ "Marion to retire at end of season". ESPN. January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  41. ^ "Pelicans Sign Kendrick Perkins". nba.com/pelicans. July 28, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  42. ^ "Warriors Sign Free Agent Center Anderson Varejao". NBA.com. February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  43. ^ "LeBron James Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week - November 23, 2015". NBA.com. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  44. ^ "LeBron James Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week - January 11, 2016". NBA.com. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  45. ^ "LeBron James Named 2016 NBA All-Star Starter". NBA.com. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  46. ^ "Tyronn Lue will coach the Eastern Conference All-Stars". Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  47. ^ "LeBron James Named Kia NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month: February 2016". NBA.com. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  48. ^ "LeBron James Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week - March 7, 2016". NBA.com. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  49. ^ "James, Thompson named Players of the Week". NBA.com. March 28, 2016. Archived from the original on May 5, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  50. ^ "For the 53rd time, yes, LeBron player of week". Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  51. ^ "LeBron James Named Kia NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month: March 2016". NBA.com. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  52. ^ "LeBron James wins East player of the month for April, making it three in a row". April 15, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  53. ^ "Curry, James lead 2015-16 All-NBA First Team". NBA.com. May 26, 2016. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  54. ^ "LeBron James named 2016 NBA Finals MVP". Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  55. ^ "Crowning The King: LeBron James is Sports Illustrated's 2016 Sportsperson of the Year". Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  56. ^ "Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James named AP Male Athlete of Year". Retrieved July 23, 2020.

Notes

1. ^ Varejão never played a single game for Portland.