2006–07 Cleveland Cavaliers season

The 2006–07 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 37th season of NBA basketball in Cleveland, Ohio. Led by 22-year old forward LeBron James, the Cavaliers finished the season with a 50–32 record, finishing second-place in the Central Division, winning their first Eastern Conference championship, and earning the franchise's first trip to the NBA Finals. During the season, the Cavaliers had the fourth best team defensive rating in the NBA.[1]

2006–07 Cleveland Cavaliers season
Conference champions
Head coachMike Brown
General managerDanny Ferry
Owner(s)Dan Gilbert
ArenaQuicken Loans Arena
Results
Record50–32 (.610)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Central)
Conference: 2nd (Eastern)
Playoff finishNBA Finals
(lost to Spurs 0–4)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
Television
RadioWTAM
LeBron James led the Cavaliers to their first Eastern Conference championship.

Prior to making their first NBA Finals appearance, in the playoffs, the Cavaliers swept the Washington Wizards in four games in the First Round, defeated the New Jersey Nets in six games in the semifinals, and defeated the Detroit Pistons in six games in the conference finals.

However, in the NBA Finals, the Cavaliers would collapse, as they were swept by the more experienced San Antonio Spurs in four games. LeBron James was the team's leading scorer and finished in 5th place in league MVP voting.

The Cavaliers would not make it back to the Finals until 2015, when James returned to the team after a four year tenure with the Miami Heat.

Key Dates
  • On June 28, the 2006 NBA draft took place in New York City.
  • In July, the free agency period began.
  • On October 10, the Cavaliers' preseason began with a 93–109 loss to the Boston Celtics.
  • On November 1, the Cavaliers' regular season began with a 97–94 win over the Washington Wizards.
  • On March 27, the Cavaliers clinched a playoff berth.
  • On June 2, the Cavaliers won their first ever Eastern Conference championship.
  • On June 14, the Cavaliers' season ended in an NBA Finals sweep to the San Antonio Spurs.

Offseason

Free agents
Additions
PlayerDateFormer team
Scot PollardAugust 18Indiana Pacers
David WesleySeptember 5Houston Rockets
Subtractions
PlayerDateNew team
Flip MurrayJuly 18Detroit Pistons
Stephen GrahamAugust 9Portland Trail Blazers
Alan HendersonSeptember 8Philadelphia 76ers
Eddie BasdenNovemberFenerbahçe

Trades
August 18, 2006 To Cleveland Cavaliers
Eddie Basden		 To Chicago Bulls
Martynas Andriuskevicius
October 13, 2006 To Cleveland Cavaliers
Dwayne Jones		 To Boston Celtics
Luke Jackson and cash considerations

Draft picks
Main article: 2006 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 25 Shannon Brown Guard  United States Michigan State
2 42* Daniel Gibson Guard  United States Texas
2 55 Ejike Ugboaja Forward  Nigeria Union Bank Lagos (Nigeria)

*2nd round pick acquired from Philadelphia in Lee Nailon deal.[2]

Roster
2006–07 Cleveland Cavaliers roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOBFrom
G 6 Brown, Shannon 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1985-11-29 Michigan State
G 1 Gibson, Daniel 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1986-02-27 Texas
F 90 Gooden, Drew 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1981-09-24 Kansas
G 32 Hughes, Larry 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 214 lb (97 kg) 1979-01-23 Saint Louis
C 11 Ilgauskas, Zydrunas 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 260 lb (118 kg) 1975-06-05 Lithuania
F 23 James, LeBron (C) 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1984-12-30 St. Vincent–St. Mary HS (OH)
G 19 Jones, Damon 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1976-08-25 Houston
F 27 Jones, Dwayne 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 251 lb (114 kg) 1983-06-09 Saint Joseph's
F 24 Marshall, Donyell 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1973-05-18 Connecticut
F 14 Newble, Ira 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1975-01-20 Miami (OH)
G 3 Pavlović, Aleksandar 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1983-11-15 Serbia
C 31 Pollard, Scot 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1975-02-12 Kansas
G 20 Snow, Eric (C) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1973-04-24 Michigan State
C 17 Varejão, Anderson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1982-09-28 Brazil
G 4 Wesley, David 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 1970-11-14 Baylor
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: March 26, 2007

Player salaries
RankPlayerSalary
1Larry Hughes $13,363,012
2Zydrunas Ilgauskas$9,422,697
3Drew Gooden$6,645,402
4LeBron James$6,128,090
5Eric Snow$6,093,750
6Donyell Marshall$5,633,037
7Damon Jones$3,884,678
8Ira Newble$3,196,050
9Scot Pollard$2,200,000
10Sasha Pavlović$1,962,206
11David Wesley$1,750,000
12Shannon Brown$971,280
13Anderson Varejão$945,600
14Dwayne Jones$664,209
15Daniel Gibson$412,718

Regular season

Season standings
Central Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Detroit Pistons 5329.646-26–1527–149–7
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 5032.610330–1120–2110–6
x-Chicago Bulls 4933.598431–1018–2312–4
Indiana Pacers 3547.4271822–1913–288–8
Milwaukee Bucks 2854.3412518–2310–311–15
#
Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Detroit Pistons5329.646–
2 x-Cleveland Cavaliers5032.6103
3 y-Toronto Raptors4735.5736
4 y-Miami Heat4438.5379
5 x-Chicago Bulls4933.5984
6 x-New Jersey Nets4141.50012
7 x-Washington Wizards4141.50012
8 x-Orlando Magic4042.48813
9 Philadelphia 76ers3547.42718
10 Indiana Pacers3547.42718
11 New York Knicks3349.40220
12 Charlotte Bobcats3349.40220
13 Atlanta Hawks3052.36623
14 Milwaukee Bucks2854.34125
15 Boston Celtics2458.29329

Record vs. opponents
2006-07 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MEM MIA MIL MIN NJN NOK NYK ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS SEA TOR UTA WAS
Atlanta —3–11–30–41–30–21–11–22–01–11–32–00–22–00–41–22–01–20–21–23–11–31–11–11–10–20–22–20–21–3
Boston 1–3—2–20–31–20–21–10–40–21–11–30–20–21–11–22–21–12–20–23–11–31–30–22–00–21–11–11–30–20–3
Charlotte 3–12–2—1–22–20–21–12–21–10–21–20–22–00–22–22–21–11–21–12–22–22–20–20–21–11–10–20–31–12–2
Chicago 4–03–02–1—2–21–11–13–11–10–23–10–21–11–13–14–00–21–32–03–11–22–11–12–00–21–12–02–20–23–1
Cleveland 3–12–12–22–2—0–20–21–32–01–13–12–02–02–01–34–02–02–11–12–21–23–10–21–12–02–01–13–11–12–1
Dallas 2–02–02–01–12–0—3–11–10–33–12–02–13–14–02–02–04–02–04–02–02–02–02–23–04–03–14–02–01–21–1
Denver 1–11–11–11–12–01–3—0–23–11–22–02–13–12–22–02–02–21–12–21–11–11–11–23–12–21–23–11–11–31–1
Detroit 2–14–02–21–33–11–12–0—0–21–12–22–02–02–02–13–11–14–01–12–14–03–11–11–11–10–22–02–10–22–2
Golden State 0–22–01–11–10–23–01–32–0—2–11–12–20–43–10–20–22–11–13–11–11–12–01–32–13–11–33–11–12–21–1
Houston 1–11–12–02–01–11–32–11–11–2—1–13–12–24–02–02–02–22–01–32–02–02–01–32–23–02–23–01–11–32–0
Indiana 3–13–12–11–31–30–20–22–21–11–1—1–11–12–02–24–00–20–41–12–12–22–20–22–00–21–10–21–20–20–3
L.A. Clippers 0–22–02–02–00–21–21–20–22–21–31–1—2–23–02–02–01–21–12–21–11–12–02–23–12–20–42–20–21–31–1
L.A. Lakers 2–02–00–21–10–21–31–30–24–02–21–12–2—2–21–10–23–12–01–20–22–01–11–31–23–12–13–11–12–11–1
Memphis 0–21–12–01–10–20–42–20–21–30–40–20–32–2—0–20–22–10–21–30–21–11–10–42–21–21–31–21–11–31–1
Miami 4–02–12–21–33–10–20–21–22–00–22–20–21–12–0—2–12–03–11–11–30–41–30–22–02–01–12–02–12–03–1
Milwaukee 2–12–22–20–40–40–20–21–32–00–20–40–22–02–01–2—2–01–20–21–31–32–10–21–11–12–01–11–30–21–3
Minnesota 0–21–11–12–00–20–42–21–11–22–22–02–11–31–20–20–2—1–11–32–01–12–01–32–22–21–21–30–21–31–1
New Jersey 2–12–22–13–11–20–21–10–41–10–24–01–10–22–01–32–11–1—1–14–02–22–20–20–21–10–20–22–22–04–0
New Orleans/Oklahoma City 2–02–01–10–21–10–42–21–11–33–11–12–22–13–11–12–03–11–1—2–01–10–20–31–23–10–42–20–21–21–1
New York 2–11–32–21–32–20–21–11–21–10–21–21–12–02–03–13–10–20–40–2—2–11–30–21–11–10–21–11–31–12–2
Orlando 1–33–12–22–12–10–21–10–41–10–22–21–10–21–14–03–11–12–21–11–2—2–10–22–01–11–12–00–42–02–2
Philadelphia 3–13–12–21–21–30–21–11–30–20–22–20–21–11–13–11–20–22–22–03–11–2—1–11–11–10–22–01–31–10–3
Phoenix 1–12–02–01–12–02–22–11–13–13–12–02–23–14–02–02–03–12–03–02–02–01–1—4–03–11–22–12–01–31–1
Portland 1–10–22–00–21–10–31–31–11–22–20–21–32–12–20–21–12–22–02–11–10–21–10–4—2–20–42–21–12–22–0
Sacramento 1–12–01–12–00–20–42–21–11–30–32–02–21–32–10–21–12–21–11–31–11–11–11–32–2—0–42–11–12–10–2
San Antonio 2–01–11–11–10–21–32–12–03–12–21–14–01–23–11–10–22–12–04–02–01–12–02–14–04–0—4–02–02–22–0
Seattle 2–01–12–00–21–10–41–30–21–30–32–02–21–32–10–21–13–12–02–21–10–20–21–22–21–20–4—1–12–20–2
Toronto 2–23–13–02–21–30–21–11–21–11–12–12–01–11–11–23–12–02–22–03–14–03–10–21–11–10–21–1—0–23–1
Utah 2–02–01–12–01–12–13–12–02–23–12–03–11–23–10–22–03–10–22–11–10–21–13–12–21–22–22–22–0—1–1
Washington 3–13–02–21–31–21–11–12–21–10–23–01–11–11–11–33–11–10–41–12–22–23–01–10–22–00–22–01–31–1—
2006–07 game log
Total: 50–32 (home: 30–11; road: 20–21)
November: 9–6 (home: 7–2; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1 November 1 Washington W 97–94 Larry Hughes (27) Drew Gooden (11) LeBron James, Larry Hughes (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 1–0
2 November 3 @ San Antonio W 88–81 LeBron James (35) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) Eric Snow (6) AT&T Center
18,797		 2–0
3 November 4 @ Charlotte L 88–92 Drew Gooden (21) Drew Gooden (16) LeBron James (7) Charlotte Bobcats Arena
19,147		 2–1
4 November 7 Atlanta L 95–104 (OT) LeBron James (34) Drew Gooden (14) LeBron James, Eric Snow (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 2–2
5 November 9 Chicago W 113–94 Drew Gooden (20) Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9) LeBron James (12) Quicken Loans Arena
19,947		 3–2
6 November 11 Boston W 94–93 LeBron James (38) Anderson Varejão (10) LeBron James (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 4–2
7 November 13 @ New York W 102–96 LeBron James, Damon Jones (29) Drew Gooden (11) LeBron James (6) Madison Square Garden
18,468		 5–2
8 November 15 Portland W 100–87 LeBron James (32) Donyell Marshall (8) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,096		 6–2
9 November 17 Minnesota W 92–76 LeBron James (37) LeBron James, Drew Gooden (9) LeBron James (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 7–2
10 November 18 @ Washington L 99–111 LeBron James (20) Drew Gooden (7) Eric Snow (8) Verizon Center
20,173		 7–3
11 November 21 Memphis W 97–94 Drew Gooden (22) Drew Gooden (15) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 8–3
12 November 22 @ Toronto L 87–95 LeBron James (30) LeBron James, Anderson Varejão (10) LeBron James (8) Air Canada Centre
19,800		 8–4
13 November 24 @ Indiana L 87–97 LeBron James (30) Drew Gooden (12) LeBron James (5) Conseco Fieldhouse
18,165		 8–5
14 November 25 Philadelphia W 108–95 LeBron James (25) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (15) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 9–5
15 November 29 New York L 98–101 LeBron James (27) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12) Eric Snow (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,192		 9–6
December : 8–6 (home: 6–1; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
16 December 1 @ Atlanta W 106–95 LeBron James (31) LeBron James, Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Donyell Marshall (7) LeBron James, Eric Snow (8) Philips Arena
19,650		 10–6
17 December 2 @ Houston L 63–81 LeBron James (21) Anderson Varejão (9) LeBron James (4) Toyota Center
18,260		 10–7
18 December 6 Toronto W 95–91 LeBron James (26) Anderson Varejão (11) LeBron James (10) Quicken Loans Arena
20,119		 11–7
19 December 9 Indiana W 107–75 LeBron James (27) Donyell Marshall (17) LeBron James (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 12–7
20 December 11 @ New Orleans/Oklahoma City L 89–95 Anderson Varejão (17) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12) Eric Snow (7) Ford Center
19,164		 12–8
21 December 13 Charlotte W 104–101 LeBron James (22) Anderson Varejão (10) LeBron James, Eric Snow (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 13–8
22 December 15 Seattle W 106–84 Larry Hughes (25) Anderson Varejão (13) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 14–8
23 December 16 @ Orlando L 74–81 LeBron James (29) Drew Gooden (12) LeBron James (5) Amway Arena
17,451		 14–9
24 December 20 @ New Jersey L 111–113 LeBron James (37) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) LeBron James (8) Continental Airlines Arena
17,270		 14–10
25 December 21 Detroit L 71–87 LeBron James (26) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 14–11
26 December 23 Orlando W 86–83 LeBron James (32) Drew Gooden (12) Eric Snow, Damon Jones (4) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 15–11
27 December 27 @ Atlanta W 89–76 LeBron James (27) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10) Larry Hughes (4) Philips Arena
19,467		 16–11
28 December 29 Milwaukee W 109–99 LeBron James (32) Donyell Marshall, Drew Gooden (10) Eric Snow (10) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 17–11
29 December 30 @ Chicago L 96–103 LeBron James (33) Drew Gooden (12) LeBron James, Donyell Marshall, Daniel Gibson, Eric Snow (3) United Center
22,965		 17–12
January : 9–7 (home: 3–3; road: 6–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
30 January 2 San Antonio W 82–78 LeBron James (19) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (13) LeBron James, Larry Hughes (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,214		 18–12
31 January 3 @ Boston W 107–104 LeBron James (32) Drew Gooden (12) Eric Snow (6) TD Banknorth Garden
18,624		 19–12
32 January 5 @ Milwaukee W 95–86 Drew Gooden (31) Drew Gooden (16) LeBron James (9) Bradley Center
18,717		 20–12
33 January 6 New Jersey W 96–91 Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden (21) LeBron James (13) Eric Snow (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 21–12
34 January 9 @ Sacramento W 108–98 LeBron James (34) Drew Gooden (11) LeBron James (7) ARCO Arena
17,317		 22–12
35 January 11 @ Phoenix L 90–109 LeBron James (34) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9) LeBron James (6) US Airways Center
18,422		 22–13
36 January 13 @ L. A. Clippers W 104–92 LeBron James (28) Anderson Varejão (12) LeBron James (6) STAPLES Center
20,027		 23–13
37 January 16 @ Seattle L 96–101 LeBron James (30) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) LeBron James (8) KeyArena
15,619		 23–14
38 January 17 @ Portland L 76–94 LeBron James (23) Anderson Varejão (11) Daniel Gibson (3) Rose Garden Arena
19,228		 23–15
39 January 19 @ Denver L 99–110 LeBron James (30) LeBron James (10) LeBron James (10) Pepsi Center
19,155		 23–16
40 January 20 @ Golden State W 106–104 (OT) LeBron James (32) Anderson Varejão (12) Eric Snow (11) Oracle Arena
19,864		 24–16
41 January 22 Orlando L 79–90 LeBron James (18) Drew Gooden (11) Larry Hughes (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 24–17
42 January 24 Philadelphia L 115–118 (2OT) LeBron James (39) LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Anderson Varejão (10) LeBron James, Anderson Varejão, Eric Snow (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 24–18
43 January 26 @ Philadelphia W 105–97 Drew Gooden (21) Drew Gooden (10) Daniel Gibson (5) Wachovia Center
19,523		 25–18
44 January 28 Phoenix L 100–115 LeBron James (30) Drew Gooden (14) LeBron James, Daniel Gibson (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 25–19
45 January 30 Golden State W 124–97 Sasha Pavlovic (24) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10) Eric Snow (6) Quicken Loans Arena
19,443		 26–19
February : 7–5 (home: 5–2; road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
46 February 1 @ Miami L 89–92 Daniel Gibson (19) Drew Gooden (9) LeBron James (9) AmericanAirlines Arena
20,125		 26–20
47 February 2 Charlotte W 101–81 LeBron James (18) Anderson Varejão (13) Sasha Pavlovic (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 27–20
48 February 4 Detroit L 78–90 LeBron James (21) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) LeBron James (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,140		 27–21
49 February 7 L. A. Clippers W 94–77 Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Sasha Pavlovic (16) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (16) Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Larry Hughes (4) Quicken Loans Arena
20,129		 28–21
50 February 9 Miami W 103–79 LeBron James (29) Drew Gooden (13) Eric Snow (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 29–21
51 February 11 L. A. Lakers W 99–90 Sasha Pavlovic (21) Drew Gooden (9) Eric Snow (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 30–21
52 February 14 @ Utah L 98–99 Larry Hughes (33) Anderson Varejão (17) Daniel Gibson (5) EnergySolutions Arena
19,911		 30–22
53 February 15 @ L. A. Lakers W 114–108 LeBron James (38) Anderson Varejão (11) Eric Snow (5) STAPLES Center
18,997		 31–22
54 February 21 @ Toronto W 86–85 LeBron James (29) Anderson Varejão (15) Larry Hughes (5) Air Canada Centre
19,800		 32–22
55 February 22 Chicago L 78–84 LeBron James (29) Larry Hughes, Anderson Varejão (8) Eric Snow (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 32–23
56 February 25 @ Miami L 81–86 LeBron James (29) Anderson Varejão (12) LeBron James (7) AmericanAirlines Arena
20,255		 32–24
57 February 27 New Orleans/Oklahoma City W 97–89 LeBron James (35) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
19,619		 33–24
March : 11–5 (home: 6–2; road: 5–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
58 March 1 @ Dallas L 92–95 LeBron James (39) Anderson Varejão (12) LeBron James (5) American Airlines Center
20,428		 33–25
59 March 3 Toronto W 120–97 LeBron James (36) Anderson Varejão (11) LeBron James (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 34–25
60 March 5 Houston W 91–85 LeBron James (32) LeBron James (12) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 35–25
61 March 7 @ Detroit W 101–97 (OT) LeBron James (41) Drew Gooden, Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10) LeBron James (8) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 36–25
62 March 10 @ Milwaukee W 94–92 LeBron James (32) Anderson Varejão (10) LeBron James (9) Bradley Center
18,081		 37–25
63 March 11 Indiana W 99–88 LeBron James (26) Drew Gooden (8) Larry Hughes (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 38–25
64 March 13 Sacramento W 124–100 Larry Hughes, Sasha Pavlovic (25) Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Drew Gooden (10) Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Larry Hughes (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 39–25
65 March 14 @ Memphis W 118–96 LeBron James (29) Drew Gooden (12) Larry Hughes (6) FedEx Forum
14,561		 40–25
66 March 17 Utah W 82–73 LeBron James (24) LeBron James (17) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 41–25
67 March 20 @ Charlotte L 100–108 (OT) LeBron James (37) Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Anderson Varejão (9) Eric Snow (7) Charlotte Bobcats Arena
17,043		 41–26
68 March 21 Dallas L 90–98 LeBron James (31) Drew Gooden (8) Larry Hughes (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 41–27
69 March 23 New York W 90–68 LeBron James (21) Anderson Varejão (7) LeBron James (10) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 42–27
70 March 25 Denver L 93–105 LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas (18) Drew Gooden (10) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 42–28
71 March 27 @ Indiana W 105–94 LeBron James (26) LeBron James, Eric Snow, Drew Gooden, Anderson Varejão (7) LeBron James (6) Conseco Fieldhouse
14,024		 43–28
72 March 28 @ New York L 93–97 LeBron James (24) Drew Gooden (7) LeBron James (7) Madison Square Garden
19,763		 43–29
73 March 31 @ Chicago W 112–108 (OT) LeBron James (24) Drew Gooden (7) LeBron James (7) United Center
22,960		 44–29
April : 6–3 (home: 3–1; road: 3–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
74 April 1 @ Boston L 96–98 Larry Hughes (24) Anderson Varejão (8) Eric Snow (8) TD Garden
17,204		 44–30
75 April 3 @ Minnesota W 101–88 LeBron James (31) Drew Gooden (13) Larry Hughes (10) Target Center
16,118		 45–30
76 April 5 Miami L 90–94 (OT) LeBron James (35) Drew Gooden (14) LeBron James (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 45–31
77 April 6 @ Washington W 99–94 LeBron James (25) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (8) LeBron James (5) Verizon Center
20,173		 46–31
78 April 8 @ Detroit L 82–87 LeBron James (20) Drew Gooden (12) LeBron James (6) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 46–32
79 April 12 New Jersey W 94–76 LeBron James (35) Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Drew Gooden (9) Larry Hughes (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 47–32
80 April 14 Atlanta W 110–76 LeBron James (23) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) LeBron James, Sasha Pavlovic (6) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 48–32
81 April 17 @ Philadelphia W 98–92 Larry Hughes (22) Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Drew Gooden, Anderson Varejão (8) Eric Snow (8) Wachovia Center
17,693		 49–32
82 April 18 Milwaukee W 109–96 LeBron James (24) Anderson Varejão (12) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 50–32
2006–07 schedule

Playoffs
Main article: 2007 NBA Playoffs

Game log
2007 playoff game log
First Round: 4–0 (home: 2–0; road: 2–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 April 22 Washington W 97–82 Larry Hughes (27) Anderson Varejão (10) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 1–0
2 April 25 Washington W 109–102 LeBron James (27) Drew Gooden (14) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 2–0
3 April 28 @ Washington W 98–92 LeBron James (30) Drew Gooden (12) LeBron James (9) Verizon Center
20,173		 3–0
4 April 30 @ Washington W 97–90 LeBron James (31) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19) LeBron James (7) Verizon Center
20,173		 4–0
Conference Semifinals: 4–2 (home: 2–1; road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 6 New Jersey W 81–77 LeBron James (21) Gooden, Ilgauskas (14) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 1–0
2 May 8 New Jersey W 102–92 LeBron James (36) Drew Gooden (14) LeBron James (12) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 2–0
3 May 12 @ New Jersey L 85–96 Larry Hughes (23) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (8) LeBron James (12) Continental Airlines Arena
20,032		 2–1
4 May 14 @ New Jersey W 87–85 LeBron James (30) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) LeBron James (7) Continental Airlines Arena
20,032		 3–1
5 May 16 New Jersey L 72–83 LeBron James (20) LeBron James (9) LeBron James (5) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 3–2
6 May 18 @ New Jersey W 88–72 LeBron James (23) LeBron James (8) LeBron James (8) Continental Airlines Arena
20,032		 4–2
Conference Finals: 4–2 (home: 3–0; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 May 21 @ Detroit L 76–79 Zydrunas Ilgauskas (22) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (13) LeBron James (9) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 0–1
2 May 24 @ Detroit L 76–79 LeBron James (19) Anderson Varejão (14) LeBron James (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 0–2
3 May 27 Detroit W 88–82 LeBron James (32) LeBron James (9) LeBron James (9) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 1–2
4 May 29 Detroit W 91–87 LeBron James (25) Drew Gooden (8) LeBron James (11) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 2–2
5 May 31 @ Detroit W 109–107 (2OT) LeBron James (48) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (16) LeBron James (7) The Palace of Auburn Hills
22,076		 3–2
6 June 2 Detroit W 98–82 Daniel Gibson (31) LeBron James (14) LeBron James (8) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 4–2
NBA Finals: 0–4 (home: 0–2; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1 June 7 @ San Antonio L 76–85 Daniel Gibson (16) LeBron James (7) James, Gibson (4) AT&T Center
18,797		 0–1
2 June 10 @ San Antonio L 92–103 LeBron James (25) Anderson Varejão (10) LeBron James (6) AT&T Center
18,797		 0–2
3 June 12 San Antonio L 72–75 LeBron James (25) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (18) LeBron James (7) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 0–3
4 June 14 San Antonio L 82–83 LeBron James (24) Zydrunas Ilgauskas (13) LeBron James (10) Quicken Loans Arena
20,562		 0–4
2007 schedule

First round

A rematch of the previous year's first round series was spoiled when Wizards star Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler were both forced out of the playoffs due to injuries received in the later parts of the regular season. Without Arenas and Butler, the Wizards found themselves unable to stop LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers from sweeping them out of the playoffs. It was Cleveland's first playoff sweep in franchise history.

Eastern Semifinals

The Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1992, while the Nets have lost in the conference semifinals in three out of the last four years.

New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd averaged a triple double the entire playoffs, scoring 14.6 points, grabbing 10.9 rebounds and dishing out 10.9 assists per game.

The Cavaliers also got revenge of sorts, by eliminating the Nets two years after the Nets eliminated them on the final day of the regular season.[3][4]

Eastern Finals

In a rematch of last year's thrilling second-round series, the Pistons and the Cavaliers matched up in perhaps one of the closest contested series in NBA history, with the first five games being decided by 6 points or less. The spotlight of the series fell on Cleveland's LeBron James. Despite gaining some momentum in the opening games of the series against the experienced Pistons, key last-second decisions by James led to Cleveland losses in Games 1 and 2 in Detroit, by identical scores where Cleveland led for most of the two games. They faced a 0–2 deficit for the second straight year but would easily remember from the year before they could win three straight games to get back into the series.

With media circles on his back for his complacency in these games (James had a playoff career low 10 points in Game 1), LeBron came back to will the Cavs to close victories in Games 3 and 4 in Cleveland, evening the series at 2. The series shifted back to Detroit for a Game 5 that proved to be one of the most memorable postseason games in recent NBA history. In a match that went into double overtime, the Cavaliers stunned the Pistons on their home court, thanks to LeBron James' playoff career-high 48 point performance. James scored the Cavaliers' final 25 points of the game, including all 18 points in overtime making it two straight two-point wins at the Palace in Game 5.

This time around the heavily favored Cavaliers took advantage of their home court in 2007 and exploded in Game 6 to close out the Pistons once and for all, and to clinch the franchise's first trip to the NBA Finals. Rookie Daniel Gibson scored his career high 31 points including five three-pointers to lift the Cavs in the second half behind a roaring home crowd.

NBA Finals
Main article: 2007 NBA Finals

Game 1

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers entered the 2007 Finals as newcomers. Game 1 was the first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history, and the first for each of its players (other than reserve point guard Eric Snow). However, the San Antonio Spurs had been to the Finals in three of the past eight seasons, winning a championship each time. With solid performances by Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili, the Spurs won the series opener in convincing fashion, limiting LeBron James to 14 points on 4–16 shooting.

June 7
9:00 p.m. ET
Cleveland Cavaliers 76, San Antonio Spurs 85
Scoring by quarter: 15–20, 20–20, 14–24, 27–21
Pts: Gibson 16
Rebs: James 7
Asts: James, Gibson 4 each
TOs: LeBron James 6		 Pts: Parker 27
Rebs: Duncan 13
Asts: Tony Parker 7
Blocks: Tim Duncan 5
AT&T Center, San Antonio
Attendance: 18,797
Referees: Ken Mauer, Mike Callahan, Steve Javie

Game 2

The Spurs took a stranglehold on momentum in Game 2. The Spurs big three overwhelmed the Cavs and the Spurs led by as many as 29 points in the third quarter. They absolutely dominated game during first 3 quarters and played show-time basketball. A furious 25–6 rally by Cleveland in the final quarter wasn't enough as the Spurs took a 2–0 lead in the series.

June 10
9:00 p.m. ET
Cleveland Cavaliers 92, San Antonio Spurs 103
Scoring by quarter: 17–28, 16–30, 29–31, 30–14
Pts: LeBron James 25
Rebs: Anderson Varejão 10
Asts: LeBron James 6
TOs: LeBron James 6		 Pts: Tony Parker 30
Rebs: Duncan, Horry 9 each
Asts: Tim Duncan 8
Blocks: Robert Horry 5
AT&T Center, San Antonio
Attendance: 18,797
Referees: Dick Bavetta, Jim Clark, Joe Derosa

Game 3

Rookie Daniel Gibson started Game 3 in place of the injured Larry Hughes but scored a series-low 2 points on 1–10 shooting. As a team the Cavs shot only .367 but out-rebounded the Spurs 48–41. Zydrunas Ilgauskas had a 2006–07 season high 18 rebounds. On the game's final play, LeBron James missed a potential game-tying 29 foot 3-pointer (which he contested as a foul on Bruce Bowen).

Game 3 was the lowest-scoring Finals game since 1955, with Tim Duncan of the Spurs having his lowest scoring game in his NBA Finals career, with 14 points.

June 12
9:00 p.m. ET
San Antonio Spurs 75, Cleveland Cavaliers 72
Scoring by quarter: 16–18, 24–20, 15–12, 20–22
Pts: Tony Parker 17
Rebs: Duncan, Bowen 9 each
Asts: Manu Ginóbili 5
Stls: Michael Finley 4		 Pts: LeBron James 25
Rebs: Ilgauskas 18
Asts: LeBron James 7
TOs: LeBron James 5
San Antonio leads series 3-0

Game 4

San Antonio started out strong through the first three quarters, leading by as many as 11. Cleveland would stage a rally near the end of the third quarter and the first five minutes of the fourth, scoring 14 consecutive points to take its first second-half lead of the series. However, the Spurs would stage a 12–3 rally of their own to retake the lead and win the series in a 4–0 sweep.

June 14
9:00 p.m. ET
San Antonio Spurs 83, Cleveland Cavaliers 82
Scoring by quarter: 19–20, 20–14, 21–18, 22–27
Pts: Manu Ginóbili 27
Rebs: Tim Duncan 15
Asts: Manu Ginóbili 5
TOs: Tim Duncan 6		 Pts: LeBron James 24
Rebs: Ilgauskas 13
Asts: LeBron James 10
TOs: LeBron James 6
San Antonio wins series 4–0

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 James787840.947.6%69.8%31.9%1.60.716.06.727.3
Larry Hughes706837.140.0%67.6%33.3%1.27.373.73.814.9
Zydrunas Ilgauskas787827.345.5%80.7%0.0%.621.261.67.711.9
Drew Gooden808028.047.3%71.4%16.7%.88.351.18.511.1
Sasha Pavlović672822.945.3%79.4%40.5%.82.251.62.49.0
Donyell Marshall81016.842.4%66.3%35.1%.48.53.64.07.0
Anderson Varejão81621.947.6%61.6%0.0%.94.64.96.76.8
Damon Jones60019.638.6%68.2%38.5%.27.031.61.16.6
Daniel Gibson601616.542.4%71.8%41.9%.38.131.21.54.6
Eric Snow824523.541.7%63.7%0.0%.67.204.02.34.2
Shannon Brown2358.837.8%71.4%28.0%.30.13.4.93.2
Ira Newble1518.643.2%60.6%53.3%.40.00.12.03.1
David Wesley35510.129.3%79.4%23.7%.34.111.11.02.1
Scot Pollard2404.542.3%50.0%0.0%.17.04.11.31.0
Dwayne Jones404.50.0%50.0%0.0%.00.00.01.5.8

Playoffs
Player GP GS MIN FG% FT% 3FG% STL BLK AST REB PTS
LeBron James202044.741.6%75.5%28.0%1.70.508.08.125.1
Zydrunas Ilgauskas202032.549.2%83.8%0.0%.45.80.99.712.6
Drew Gooden202030.349.3%76.9%0.0%.50.451.08.011.4
Larry Hughes181835.534.7%74.6%35.2%1.39.442.43.911.3
Sasha Pavlović202030.838.1%52.8%34.5%.95.251.62.69.2
Daniel Gibson20220.143.1%88.4%40.9%.60.201.11.68.3
Anderson Varejão20022.451.1%56.3%0.0%1.05.55.66.06.0
Donyell Marshall19010.733.3%63.6%31.1%.16.21.32.23.5
Damon Jones11012.630.8%1.000%31.8%.00.001.0.82.4
Eric Snow19012.831.6%57.1%0.0%.58.111.51.51.7
Ira Newble601.70.0%0.0%0.0%.00.00.2.20.0
Scot Pollard301.00.0%0.0%0.0%.00.00.00.00.0
Shannon Brown101.00.0%0.0%0.0%.00.00.00.00.0

Awards and records

Awards

Records
  • On November 25, Zydrunas Ilgauskas tied a franchise record for offensive rebounds in a half (10) and in a game (12) in the Cavs' 108–95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
  • On December 6, Zydrunas Ilgauskas became the all-time offensive rebound leader in Cavs history in a 95–91 win over the Toronto Raptors.
  • In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, LeBron James set or tied franchise playoff records for: points in a game (48), points in overtime (9), field goals made and attempted in a game (18, 33) and field goals made in overtime (4).
  • In Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, Daniel Gibson set or tied franchise playoff records for: points in a quarter (19), points in a half (25), rookie points in a game (31) and three-pointers in a half (5).
  • With his 19th playoff win, coach Mike Brown set the franchise record for playoff victories.

Milestones
  • On December 23, LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 7,000 career points (21 years, 359 days).
  • In the 2006–07 season, the Cavaliers swept all four California teams for the first time in team history (Golden State, Sacramento, LA Lakers, LA Clippers)
  • On March 14, LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 8,000 career points (22 years, 74 days).
  • On April 6, LeBron James became the 2nd fastest player to record 8,000 points, 2,000 rebounds and 2,000 assists in a career. LeBron did it in 311 games while it took Oscar Robertson 269 games and Michael Jordan 339.
  • On April 14, the Cavaliers played the 3,000th game in franchise history

All-Star
  • LeBron James led all players in votes received and was voted in as a starter for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. His 2,516,049 votes were the second most in NBA history. He became the first player in team history to lead the league in votes.
  • LeBron James led the Eastern Conference All-Stars with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in the 132–153 loss.
  • Damon Jones participated in the Three Point Contest and finished in 5th place.
  • LeBron James participated in the Skills Challenge and finished in 3rd place.

Transactions

Trades

The Cavaliers did not make a trade during the 2006–07 NBA season.

Free agents

The Cavaliers did not sign any free agents during the 2006–07 NBA season.

Development League
  • On March 2, Shannon Brown was assigned to the NBDL's Albuquerque Thunderbirds.
  • On March 3, Shannon Brown was recalled from the Thunderbirds.
  • On March 23, Dwayne Jones was assigned to the Thunderbirds.
  • On March 27, Dwayne Jones was recalled from the Thunderbirds.

References
  1. "Teams Defense". NBA.com. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  2. Conditional 2nd round pick traded to Philadelphia for Lee Nailon and a 2006 2nd round pick http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2006/02/23/nailon_76ers_trade060223.html
  3. ESPN.com Recap: Nets VS. Celtics, April 20, 2005
  4. ESPN.com Recap: Cavaliers VS. Raptors, April 20, 2005
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