2008–09 Cleveland Cavaliers season

2008–09 Cleveland Cavaliers season
Division champions
Head coachMike Brown
General managerDanny Ferry
Owner(s)Dan Gilbert
ArenaQuicken Loans Arena
Results
Record66–16 (.805)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Central)
Conference: 1st (Eastern)
Playoff finishEastern Conference Finals
(lost to Magic 2–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioWTAM
< 2007–08 2009–10 >

The 2008–09 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 39th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). They finished the regular season with 66 wins and 16 losses, the best record in the NBA, which easily surpassed the previous franchise best of 57–25 from the 1988–89 and 1991–92 seasons. LeBron James won his first MVP Award and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The Cavaliers had the fourth best team offensive rating and the third best team defensive rating in the NBA.[1]

In the playoffs, the Cavaliers swept the Detroit Pistons in the First Round in four games, swept the Atlanta Hawks in the Semifinals in four games, before losing to the Orlando Magic in the conference finals in six games, despite the Cavaliers being heavily favored to beat the Magic.[2] The Magic would go on to lose to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals in five games. Prior to their elimination by the Magic, many had expected the Cavs to appear in the Finals, which would've also been LeBron and Kobe Bryant's first head-to-head meeting in the NBA Finals.

This was the last time that James lost in the conference finals until 2023 when the Lakers were swept by the Denver Nuggets in four games.

Key dates

  • June 26: The 2008 NBA draft took place in New York City.
  • July 1: The [Free agency] period started.
  • On October 7, the Cavaliers' pre-season began with an 84–104 loss to Toronto Raptors.
  • On October 28, the Cavaliers' regular season started with a 90–99 loss at the Boston Celtics.
  • On October 30, the Cavaliers beat the Charlotte Bobcats 96–79 for their first win in their home opener.
  • On November 8, the Cavaliers beat the Chicago Bulls 106–97 to improve their record to 5-2 and take over first place in the Central Division.
  • On November 18, the Cavaliers beat the New Jersey Nets 106–82 for their then season-high eighth straight win and improved their record to a then season high seven games over .500 (9–2).
  • On December 3, the Cavaliers beat the New York Knicks 118–82 to set a franchise record by starting the season with ten straight home wins.
  • On December 9, the Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors 114–94 to set an NBA record by winning nine straight games by 12 or more points.
  • On December 12, the Cavaliers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 88–72 for their season best 11th straight win (which tied a franchise record), to improve to a then season high seventeen games over .500, their best 23 game start in franchise history (20–3), and to improve their franchise record by starting the season with thirteen straight home wins.
  • On December 28, the Cavaliers beat the Miami Heat 93–86 to improve to a season high 22 games over .500, their best 30 game start in franchise history (26–4), and to improve their franchise record by starting the season with 16 straight home wins.
  • On January 7, the Cavaliers beat the Charlotte Bobcats 111–81 for their best 34 game start in franchise history (28–6), to improve their franchise record by starting the season with 18 straight home wins, to take over first place in the Eastern Conference and to take a share of the best record in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers.
  • On January 9, the Cavaliers beat the Boston Celtics 98–83 to improve to a season high 23 games over .500, their best 35 game start in franchise history (29–6), and to improve their franchise record by starting the season with 19 straight home wins.
  • On January 23, the Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors 106–105 to improve to a season high 25 games over .500, their best 41 game start in franchise history (33–8).
  • On February 3, the Cavaliers beat the Toronto Raptors 101–83 to get their franchise record 23rd straight home victory, and improved to 38–9 overall on the season.
  • On February 8, the Cavaliers lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 91–101, their first home loss of the year, dropping to 23–1 at home and 39–10 overall on the season.
  • On February 10, the Cavaliers lost to the Indiana Pacers 95–96, marking their first consecutive losses of the season.
  • On March 2, the Cavaliers beat the Miami Heat 107–100, improving to 47-12 and marking the first time in franchise history the team was 35 games over .500.
  • On March 4, the Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 91–73, becoming the first team in the league to clinch a playoff berth.
  • On March 13, the Cavaliers beat the Sacramento Kings 126–123, clinching the Central Division title: their first since the 1975–76 season and their second in franchise history.
  • On March 19, the Cavaliers tied an NBA record by committing just 2 turnovers in a 97–92 overtime victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
  • On March 24, the Cavaliers beat the New Jersey Nets 98–87, improving their record to 58–13 and setting a franchise record for wins in a season.
  • On March 31, the Cavaliers beat the Detroit Pistons 79–73, extending their winning streak to a new franchise record 13 wins in a row, setting a new franchise record and tying an NBA record for wins in any month by improving to 16–1 in March, and extending their franchise record for wins in a season, improving to 61–13.
  • On April 10, the Cavaliers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 102–92, clinching the best record in the Eastern Conference for the first time in franchise history.
  • On April 13, the Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers 117–109, clinching the best record in the NBA and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, the first time ever the Cavaliers have done so.
  • On April 15, the Cavaliers concluded their regular season with a 111–110 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in OT. They finished the season 66–16, going 39–2 at home and 27–14 on the road. Their home record was the second-best in NBA history.
  • On April 26, the Cavaliers advanced to the second round of the playoffs by defeating the Detroit Pistons four games to none.
  • On May 9, the Cavaliers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 97–82 and became the first team in NBA history to win seven consecutive playoff games by a double-digit margin.
  • On May 11, the Cavaliers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 84–74, earning a spot in the NBA Eastern Conference finals. It was also the first time in franchise history they swept two consecutive playoff series.
  • On May 30, the Cavs' season ended when they lost to the Orlando Magic in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, 103–90, in Orlando. The Magic took Game 1 in Cleveland with a 1-point victory, lost Game 2 also by 1-point thanks to James' first career playoff buzzer, and went on to win the series 4–2 before going on to lose to the Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 in the NBA Finals. Eight of the last nine Eastern Conference No. 1 seeded teams have been beaten in the conference finals.

Offseason

On June 26, 2008, the Cavaliers acquired the draft rights to forward Darnell Jackson from the Miami Heat in exchange for the lower of the Cavaliers two second-round picks in the 2009 NBA Draft. In addition, Cleveland purchased the rights to center Sasha Kaun from the Seattle SuperSonics.

On August 4, 2008, the Cavaliers signed Tarence Kinsey to a one-year contract.

On August 13, 2008, the Cavaliers traded Damon Jones and Joe Smith to the Milwaukee Bucks for Maurice Williams as part of a three-team, a six-player deal among the Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City.

On September 5, 2008, the Cavaliers signed Lorenzen Wright to a one-year contract. Second year swingman Gabe Skinner waived to make room for the acquisition.

Draft picks

Main article: 2008 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
1 19 J. J. Hickson PF  USA NC State

Roster

2008–09 Cleveland Cavaliers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
PG 1 Gibson, Daniel 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1986-02-27 Texas
C 21 Hickson, J. J. 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 242 lb (110 kg) 1988-09-04 NC State
C 11 Ilgauskas, Žydrūnas 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1975-06-05 Lithuania
PF 00 Jackson, Darnell 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 253 lb (115 kg) 1985-11-07 Kansas
SF 23 James, LeBron 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 245 lb (111 kg) 1984-12-30 St. Vincent–St. Mary HS (OH)
SG 8 Kinsey, Tarence 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 189 lb (86 kg) 1984-03-21 South Carolina
SF 3 Pavlović, Sasha 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1983-11-15 Serbia
C 32 Smith, Joe 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1975-07-26 Maryland
PG 20 Snow, Eric 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1973-04-24 Michigan State
SF 10 Szczerbiak, Wally 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1977-03-05 Miami (OH)
PF 17 Varejão, Anderson 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1982-09-28 Brazil
F/C 4 Wallace, Ben 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1974-09-10 Virginia Union
SG 13 West, Delonte 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1983-07-26 Saint Joseph's
SF 31 Williams, Jawad 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1983-02-19 North Carolina
PG 2 Williams, Mo 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1982-12-19 Alabama
C 55 Wright, Lorenzen 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1975-11-04 Memphis
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: April 9, 2009

Regular season

Standings

Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div GP
z-Cleveland Cavaliers 66 16 .805 — 39–2 27–14 13–3 82
x-Chicago Bulls 41 41 .500 25 28–13 13–28 9–7 82
x-Detroit Pistons 39 43 .476 27 21–20 18–23 7–9 82
Indiana Pacers 36 46 .439 30 25–16 11–30 7–9 82
Milwaukee Bucks 34 48 .415 32 22–19 12–29 4–12 82
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Cleveland Cavaliers 66 16 .805 —
2 y-Boston Celtics 62 20 .756 4
3 y-Orlando Magic 59 23 .720 7
4 x-Atlanta Hawks 47 35 .573 19
5 x-Miami Heat 43 39 .524 23
6 x-Philadelphia 76ers 41 41 .500 25
7 x-Chicago Bulls 41 41 .500 25
8 x-Detroit Pistons 39 43 .476 27
9 Indiana Pacers 36 46 .439 30
10 Charlotte Bobcats 35 47 .427 31
11 New Jersey Nets 34 48 .415 32
12 Milwaukee Bucks 34 48 .415 32
13 Toronto Raptors 33 49 .402 33
14 New York Knicks 32 50 .390 34
15 Washington Wizards 19 63 .232 47

Record vs. opponents

2008-09 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MEM MIA MIL MIN NJN NOH NYK OKC ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS TOR UTA WAS
Atlanta — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Boston 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Charlotte 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Chicago 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Cleveland 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Dallas 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Denver 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Detroit 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 – 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0—0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Golden State 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Houston 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Indiana 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
L.A. Clippers 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
L.A. Lakers 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Memphis 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Miami 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Milwaukee 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Minnesota 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0—0 0—0 0—0 0—0 0—0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
New Jersey 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0—0 0—0 0—0
New Orleans 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
New York 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Oklahoma City 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 – 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0—0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Orlando 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0—0 – 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Philadelphia 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0—0 – 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0—0
Phoenix 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0—0 – 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0—0
Portland 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0—0 – 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
Sacramento 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0—0 – 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0
San Antonio 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0—0 – 0–0 0–0 0–0
Toronto 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0 0–0
Utah 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 — 0–0
Washington 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 —

Game log

2008–09 game log
Total: 66–16 (home: 39–2; road: 27–14)
October: 1–1 (home: 1–0; road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 October 28 @ Boston L 90–99 LeBron James (22) Anderson Varejão (9) LeBron James (6) TD Banknorth Garden
18,624 		0–1
2 October 30 Charlotte W 96–79 Daniel Gibson (25) Ben Wallace (10) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		1-1
November : 13–2 (home: 8–0; road: 5–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
3 November 1 @ New Orleans L 92–104 Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (18) Ben Wallace (8) LeBron James (13) New Orleans Arena
18,150 		1–2
4 November 3 @ Dallas W 100–81 LeBron James (29) Ben Wallace (13) Maurice Williams (6) American Airlines Center
19,923 		2–2
5 November 5 Chicago W 107–93 LeBron James (41) Ben Wallace (14) LeBron James (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		3–2
6 November 7 Indiana W 111–107 LeBron James (27) LeBron James (9) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		4–2
7 November 8 @ Chicago W 106–97 LeBron James (41) LeBron James (13) Maurice Williams (7) United Center
21,965 		5–2
8 November 11 Milwaukee W 99–93 LeBron James (41) Varejão, Ilgauskas (10) LeBron James (6) Quicken Loans Arena
19,842 		6–2
9 November 13 Denver W 110–99 Maurice Williams (24) James, Varejão (8) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		7–2
10 November 15 Utah W 105–93 LeBron James (38) Ben Wallace (10) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		8–2
11 November 18 @ New Jersey W 106–82 LeBron James (31) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (9) Maurice Williams (6) Izod Center
16,911 		9–2
12 November 19 @ Detroit L 89–96 Williams, James (25) Anderson Varejão (11) LeBron James (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076 		9–3
13 November 22 Atlanta W 110–96 LeBron James (24) Ben Wallace (8) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		10–3
14 November 25 @ New York W 119–101 LeBron James (26) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (10) Daniel Gibson (7) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		11–3
15 November 26 Oklahoma City W 117–82 Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (17) Ilgauskas, Varejão (7) Delonte West (10) Quicken Loans Arena
19,753 		12–3
16 November 28 Golden State W 112–97 LeBron James (23) Szczerbiak, Wallace (9) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		13–3
17 November 29 @ Milwaukee W 97–85 LeBron James (32) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (17) James, West (5) Bradley Center
16,237 		14–3
December : 12–2 (home: 7–0; road: 5–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
18 December 3 New York W 118–82 LeBron James (21) Ilgauskas, Varejão (10) LeBron James (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		15–3
19 December 5 Indiana W 97–73 Williams, Varejão, Ilgauskas (17) Ilgauskas, James (8) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		16–3
20 December 6 @ Charlotte W 94–74 LeBron James (25) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (11) Daniel Gibson (5) Time Warner Cable Arena
19,133 		17–3
21 December 9 Toronto W 114–94 LeBron James (31) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (6) Maurice Williams (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,049 		18–3
22 December 10 @ Philadelphia W 101–93 LeBron James (29) Ben Wallace (10) LeBron James (5) Wachovia Center
15,550 		19–3
23 December 12 Philadelphia W 88–72 LeBron James (28) Darnell Jackson (8) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		20–3
24 December 13 @ Atlanta L 92–97 LeBron James (33) Anderson Varejão (8) LeBron James (9) Philips Arena
19,200 		20–4
25 December 17 @ Minnesota W 93–70 LeBron James (32) Anderson Varejão (11) Delonte West (5) Target Center
14,899 		21–4
26 December 19 @ Denver W 105–88 LeBron James (33) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (8) Pepsi Center
19,155 		22–4
27 December 21 @ Oklahoma City W 102–91 LeBron James (31) Wallace, Varejão (6) LeBron James (7) Ford Center
19,136 		23–4
28 December 23 Houston W 99–90 LeBron James (27) LeBron James (9) LeBron James (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		24–4
29 December 25 Washington W 93–89 Maurice Williams (24) Anderson Varejão (13) Delonte West (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		25–4
30 December 28 Miami W 93–86 LeBron James (33) Ben Wallace (14) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		26–4
31 December 30 @ Miami L 95–104 LeBron James (38) Anderson Varejão (10) LeBron James (7) American Airlines Arena
19,600 		26–5
January : 10–4 (home: 6–0; road: 4–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
32 January 2 Chicago W 117–92 Anderson Varejão (26) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		27–5
33 January 4 @ Washington L 77–80 LeBron James (30) Anderson Varejão (10) LeBron James (10) Verizon Center
20,173 		27–6
34 January 7 Charlotte W 111–81 LeBron James (21) Ben Wallace (9) Delonte West (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		28–6
35 January 9 Boston W 98–83 LeBron James (38) Anderson Varejão (9) LeBron James (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		29–6
36 January 13 @ Memphis W 102–87 LeBron James (30) LeBron James (11) LeBron James (10) FedExForum
15,121 		30–6
37 January 15 @ Chicago L 93–102 (OT) LeBron James (28) LeBron James (14) LeBron James (7) United Center
21,297 		30–7
38 January 16 New Orleans W 92–78 LeBron James (29) LeBron James (14) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		31–7
39 January 19 @ L.A. Lakers L 88–105 LeBron James (23) Anderson Varejão (12) Maurice Williams (5) Staples Center
18,997 		31–8
40 January 21 @ Portland W 104–98 LeBron James (34) Wally Szczerbiak (10) LeBron James (14) Rose Garden
20,632 		32–8
41 January 23 @ Golden State W 106–105 LeBron James (32) James, Pavlović, Varejão (9) LeBron James (8) Oracle Arena
19,596 		33–8
42 January 24 @ Utah W 102–97 LeBron James (33) LeBron James (14) LeBron James (9) EnergySolutions Arena
19,911 		34–8
43 January 27 Sacramento W 117–110 Maurice Williams (43) LeBron James (15) Maurice Williams, LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		35–8
44 January 29 @ Orlando L 88–99 LeBron James (23) James, Varejão (8) LeBron James (8) Amway Arena
17,461 		35–9
45 January 30 L.A. Clippers W 112–95 LeBron James (25) Ilgauskas, Wallace (11) James, Williams (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		36–9
February : 9–3 (home: 4–1; road: 5–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
46 February 1 @ Detroit W 90–80 LeBron James (33) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (8) LeBron James (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076 		37–9
47 February 3 Toronto W 101–83 LeBron James (33) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (8) Maurice Williams (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		38–9
48 February 4 @ New York W 107–102 LeBron James (52) Wally Szczerbiak (13) LeBron James (11) Madison Square Garden
19,763 		39–9
49 February 8 L.A. Lakers L 91–101 Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (22) Ilgauskas, Varejão (9) LeBron James (12) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		39–10
50 February 10 @ Indiana L 95–96 LeBron James (47) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (11) LeBron James (4) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,165 		39–11
51 February 11 Phoenix W 109–92 Maurice Williams (44) Ben Wallace (11) Maurice Williams (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		40–11
All-Star Break
52 February 18 @ Toronto W 93–76 Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (22) Anderson Varejão (14) LeBron James (9) Air Canada Centre
19,800 		41–11
53 February 20 @ Milwaukee W 111–103 LeBron James (55) Anderson Varejão (7) LeBron James (9) Bradley Center
18,076 		42–11
54 February 22 Detroit W 99–78 Delonte West (25) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (8) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		43–11
55 February 24 Memphis W 94–79 Daniel Gibson (19) J. J. Hickson (9) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		44–11
56 February 26 @ Houston L 74–93 James, Williams (21) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (13) Maurice Williams (4) Toyota Center
18,399 		44–12
57 February 27 @ San Antonio W 97–86 LeBron James (30) LeBron James (14) Delonte West (5) AT&T Center
18,797 		45–12
March : 16–1 (home: 10–0; road: 6–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
58 March 1 @ Atlanta W 88–87 LeBron James (26) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (11) LeBron James (11) Philips Arena
19,639 		46–12
59 March 2 @ Miami W 107–100 LeBron James (42) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (15) Maurice Williams (7) American Airlines Arena
19,600 		47–12
60 March 4 Milwaukee W 91–73 LeBron James (23) Anderson Varejão (9) James, West (4) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		48–12
61 March 6 @ Boston L 94–105 Maurice Williams (26) James, West (6) Delonte West (8) TD Banknorth Garden
18,624 		48–13
62 March 7 Miami W 99–89 Maurice Williams (29) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (12) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		49–13
63 March 10 @ L.A. Clippers W 87–83 LeBron James (32) LeBron James (13) LeBron James (11) Staples Center
19,060 		50–13
64 March 12 @ Phoenix W 119–111 LeBron James (34) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (13) US Airways Center
18,422 		51–13
65 March 13 @ Sacramento W 126–123 (OT) LeBron James (51) Anderson Varejão (12) LeBron James (9) ARCO Arena
16,317 		52–13
66 March 15 New York W 98–93 Maurice Williams (23) Anderson Varejão (9) LeBron James (10) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		53–13
67 March 17 Orlando W 97–93 LeBron James (43) LeBron James (12) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		54–13
68 March 19 Portland W 97–92 (OT) LeBron James (26) LeBron James (11) LeBron James (10) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		55–13
69 March 21 Atlanta W 102–96 Maurice Willams (24) Jackson, Varejão (8) Maurice Williams (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		56–13
70 March 22 @ New Jersey W 96–88 LeBron James (30) James, Varejão (11) LeBron James (8) Izod Center
18,348 		57–13
71 March 25 New Jersey W 98–87 LeBron James (22) Anderson Varejão (11) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		58–13
72 March 27 Minnesota W 107–85 LeBron James (25) LeBron James (12) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		59–13
73 March 29 Dallas W 102–74 LeBron James (24) Joe Smith (13) LeBron James (12) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		60–13
74 March 31 Detroit W 79–73 LeBron James (25) LeBron James (12) Delonte West (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		61–13
April : 5–3 (home: 3–1; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
75 April 2 @ Washington L 101–109 LeBron James (31) LeBron James (9) Delonte West (7) Verizon Center
20,173 		61–14
76 April 3 @ Orlando L 87–116 LeBron James (26) LeBron James (9) LeBron James (5) Amway Arena
17,461 		61–15
77 April 5 San Antonio W 101–81 LeBron James (38) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (10) LeBron James (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		62–15
78 April 8 Washington W 98–86 LeBron James (21) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (13) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		63–15
79 April 10 @ Philadelphia W 102–92 LeBron James (27) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (9) LeBron James (10) Wachovia Center
20,484 		64–15
80 April 12 Boston W 107–76 LeBron James (29) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (10) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		65–15
81 April 13 @ Indiana W 117–109 LeBron James (37) Anderson Varejão (11) Maurice Williams (8) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,165 		66–15
82 April 15 Philadelphia L 110–111 (OT) Daniel Gibson (28) Jackson, Wally Szczerbiak (8) Wally Szczerbiak (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		66–16
2008–09 schedule

Playoffs

2009 playoff game log
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 18 Detroit W 102–84 LeBron James (38) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		1–0
2 April 21 Detroit W 94–82 LeBron James (29) LeBron James (13) Mo Williams (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		2–0
3 April 24 @ Detroit W 79–68 LeBron James (25) LeBron James (11) LeBron James (9) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076 		3–0
4 April 26 @ Detroit W 99–78 LeBron James (36) LeBron James (13) LeBron James (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076 		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 5 Atlanta W 99–72 LeBron James (34) LeBron James (10) Delonte West (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		1–0
2 May 7 Atlanta W 105–85 LeBron James (27) Anderson Varejão (8) James, Williams (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		2–0
3 May 9 @ Atlanta W 97–82 LeBron James (47) LeBron James (12) LeBron James (8) Philips Arena
20,143 		3–0
4 May 11 @ Atlanta W 84–74 LeBron James (27) Anderson Varejão (11) LeBron James (8) Philips Arena
19,241 		4–0
Conference Finals: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 May 20 Orlando L 106–107 LeBron James (49) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (10) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		0–1
2 May 22 Orlando W 96–95 LeBron James (35) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (15) James, Williams (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		1–1
3 May 24 @ Orlando L 89–99 LeBron James (41) Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (9) LeBron James (9) Amway Arena
17,461 		1–2
4 May 26 @ Orlando L 114–116 (OT) LeBron James (44) LeBron James (12) James, West (7) Amway Arena
17,461 		1–3
5 May 28 Orlando W 112–102 LeBron James (37) LeBron James (14) LeBron James (12) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562 		2–3
6 May 30 @ Orlando L 90–103 LeBron James (25) Anderson Varejão (8) LeBron James (7) Amway Arena
17,461 		2–4
2009 schedule

Player statistics

Legend

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 Source: [3]

Season

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Daniel Gibson 75 0 23.9 .391 .382 .767 2.1 1.8 .6 .2 7.8
J.J. Hickson 62 0 11.4 .515 .000 .672 2.7 .1 .2 .5 4.0
Žydrūnas Ilgauskas 65 65 24.2 .472 .385 .799 7.5 1.0 .4 1.3 12.9
Darnell Jackson 51 2 8.4 .430 .000 .686 1.7 .2 .2 .1 1.9
LeBron James 81 81 37.7 .489 .344 .780 7.6 7.2 1.7 1.1 28.4
Tarence Kinsey 50 3 5.5 .449 .389 .868 .8 .2 .2 .0 1.0
Sasha Pavlovic 66 12 12.8 .422 .410 .463 1.9 1.1 .3 .2 4.6
Joe Smith 21 0 19.6 .496 .333 .750 4.8 .8 .3 .7 6.5
Wally Szczerbiak 74 5 18.6 .450 .411 .849 3.1 1.1 .4 .1 7.0
Anderson Varejão 81 42 28.5 .536 .000 .616 7.2 1.0 .9 .8 8.6
Ben Wallace 56 53 23.5 .445 .000 .422 6.5 .8 .9 1.3 2.9
Delonte West 64 64 33.6 .457 .399 .833 3.2 3.5 1.5 .2 11.7
Jawad Williams 10 0 2.0 .417 .333 .000 .2 .0 .1 .0 1.2
Mo Williams 81 81 35.0 .467 .436 .912 3.4 4.1 .9 .1 17.8
Lorenzen Wright 18 2 6.9 .370 .000 .375 1.4 .2 .2 .3 1.3

Playoffs

Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Daniel Gibson 14 0 12.3 .325 .357 1.000 .5 .4 .1 .2 3.4
Žydrūnas Ilgauskas 14 14 29.1 .449 .154 .636 7.8 1.2 .4 .9 10.5
LeBron James 14 14 41.4 .510 .333 .749 9.1 7.3 1.6 .9 35.3
Tarence Kinsey 9 0 1.2 .333 . 1.000 .2 .0 .1 .0 .4
Sasha Pavlovic 11 0 8.3 .500 .250 .463 1.4 .4 .4 .0 2.1
Joe Smith 13 0 16.8 .460 .600 .793 3.7 .2 .5 .5 5.5
Wally Szczerbiak 12 0 12.8 .444 .167 .818 2.3 .6 .2 .1 3.6
Anderson Varejão 14 14 30.0 .500 . .682 6.4 .6 1.3 1.1 6.9
Ben Wallace 14 0 12.6 .615 . .000 2.7 .3 .3 .3 1.1
Delonte West 14 14 42.2 .465 .333 .833 3.5 4.1 1.4 .5 13.8
Mo Williams 14 14 38.6 .408 .372 .767 3.2 4.1 .7 .1 16.3

Awards and records

Awards

Milestones

  • On November 18, LeBron James became the youngest player to reach 11,000 career points and the only player to score 11,000 points in a Cavaliers uniform; he also passed Jim Brewer for 6th in defensive rebounds in Cavs history.
  • On December 9, LeBron James passed Mark Price to become the Cavaliers' all-time steals leader.
  • On the same night, Zydrunas Ilgauskas passed Brad Daugherty to become the Cavaliers' all-time rebounds leader.
  • On January 4, LeBron James passed Brad Daugherty to become the Cavaliers' all-time free throws attempted leader. On the same night he also passed Wesley Person for 2nd all time in three-point field goals made.
  • On January 23, LeBron James passed Brad Daugherty to become the Cavaliers' all-time free throws made leader.
  • On January 30, Mike Brown became just the second Cleveland coach to coach the Eastern Conference all-star team.
  • On February 3, LeBron James became the youngest player to reach 12,000 career points.
  • On March 21, Zydrunas Ilgauskas became the fourth Cavalier to reach 10,000 career points.
  • On March 22, Zydrunas Ilgauskas passed John "Hot Rod" Williams to become the Cavaliers' all-time blocks leader.
  • On March 25, LeBron James became only the second player in NBA history to record 2,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists in at least 4 seasons.
  • On March 31, Zydrunas Ilgauskas became only the third player to play at least 700 games as a Cavalier.

Transactions

Trades

August 13, 2008 To Milwaukee Bucks----Damon Jones----To Oklahoma City Thunder----Joe Smith To Cleveland Cavaliers----Mo Williams[11]

Free agents

March 5, 2009: Acquired Joe Smith from Oklahoma City Thunder

References

  1. ^ "Advanced". NBA.com. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  2. ^ "2009 NBA Playoffs Series Prices". Sports Odds History. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  3. ^ "Roster and Statistics". Basketball-Reference.
  4. ^ LeBron James Named NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week, NBA.com, November 10, 2008.
  5. ^ LeBron James Named NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week, NBA.com, November 17, 2008.
  6. ^ Players of the Month: LeBron James, Chris Paul Archived 2012-09-19 at the Wayback Machine, NBA.com, December 1, 2008.
  7. ^ LeBron James Named NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week, NBA.com, December 29, 2008.
  8. ^ Mike Brown Named NBA's Eastern Conference Coach of the Month, NBA.com, January 2, 2009.
  9. ^ Windhorst, Brian (April 20, 2009). "Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown named NBA Coach of the Year". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved April 20, 2009.
  10. ^ Windhorst, Brian (May 4, 2009). "LeBron James named NBA Most Valuable Player". Cleveland Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  11. ^ "Mo Williams headlines 6-player, 3-team trade". the Sporting News. August 13, 2008. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2009.