September 15, 2026
September 15, 2026
1975-76 Cleveland Cavaliers: Franchise First
The 1970-71 NBA season marked the very first season in the history of the franchise that would become known as the Cleveland Cavaliers. A tradition of basketball was beginning to form near Lake Erie, though it took time for the Cavaliers to find the right pieces to the puzzle. The early 1970s were unkind to the team on the court, as they posted numerous losing seasons. The mid-1970s, however, marked the beginning of real success for this young franchise, culminating in the breakout 1975-76 Cleveland Cavaliers season.
The 1975-76 Cleveland Cavaliers went 49-33, finishing one game ahead of the Washington Bullets to win the Central Division. The Cavaliers went 19-12 at home, at what was then known as the Coliseum at Richfield, and 20-21 on the road. The Cavaliers went 15-11 in divisional play. Through most months of the regular season, the Cavaliers fared well, going 11-4 in December, 9-6 in January, 9-2 in February, 9-7 in March and 4-3 in April.
Center Jim Chones had 1,298 total points, 739 rebounds, 163 assists and 93 blocks, making 563 of 1,258 field goal attempts and 172 of 260 free throws. Small forward Michael Campanella “Campy” Russell had 1,232 total points and 345 rebounds, making 483 of 1,003 field goal attempts and 266 of 344 free throws. Shooting guard Robert “Bingo” Smith had 1,101 total points and 341 rebounds, making 495 of 1,121 field goal attempts and 111 of 136 free throws. Shooting guard Dick Snyder had 1,037 points and 220 assists, making 441 of 881 field goal attempts and 155 of 188 free throws.
Point guard Jim Cleamons had 1,000 points, 354 rebounds, 428 assists and 124 steals, making 413 of 887 field goal attempts and 174 of 218 free throws. Power forward Jim Brewer had 940 points and 891 rebounds, making 400 of 874 field goal attempts and 140 of 214 free throws. Shooting guard Austin Carr had 658 points, making 276 of 625 field goal attempts and 106 of 134 free throws. Point guard Clarence “Boots” Walker had 370 points, 288 assists and 98 steals, making 84 of 108 free throws.
During the course of the regular season, no one would have expected the Cleveland Cavaliers to go on a couple of lengthy winning streaks, but that is exactly what happened. The first notable streak stretched to seven games. It began with a 109-95 win over the New York Knicks on December 11 and ended with a tight 99-98 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on December 21. The second streak reached eight games. It began with a close 92-87 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on February 6 and ended with a 107-103 victory over the Houston Rockets on February 22.
Having won 49 regular season games, the most in franchise history at the time, the Cavaliers achieved a franchise first: their first-ever appearance in the playoffs. Their first test in the postseason was an imposing one, as they faced the Washington Bullets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The No. 2 seed Cavaliers survived the series, winning four games to three.
In Game 1, on April 13 at the Coliseum at Richfield, the Bullets beat the Cavaliers 100-95. In Game 2, on April 15 at the Capital Centre, the Cavaliers rebounded to win 80-79; Bingo Smith had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, while Dick Snyder added 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. In Game 3, on April 17 at the Coliseum at Richfield, the Cavaliers won 88-76. Smith had 17 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists, Austin Carr had 17 points and 3 rebounds, and Jim Cleamons added 14 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists.
In Game 4, on April 21 at the Capital Centre, the Bullets won 109-98. In Game 5, on April 22 at the Coliseum at Richfield, the Cavaliers barely edged out the Bullets 92-91; Snyder had 26 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists, and Carr had 18 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist. In Game 6, on April 26 at the Capital Centre, the Bullets beat the Cavaliers 102-98 in overtime. In the deciding Game 7, on April 29 at the Coliseum at Richfield, the Cavaliers did just enough to put away the Bullets with a narrow 87-85 victory. Dick Snyder led the offensive charge with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
Having won their first playoff series in franchise history, the Cleveland Cavaliers hoped to build on this newfound momentum in the Eastern Conference Finals, where they faced a storied franchise in the Boston Celtics. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, their run ended as the Celtics eliminated them, four games to two.
The middle games of the series belonged to Cleveland, starting with Game 3, on May 11 at the Coliseum at Richfield, which the Cavaliers won 83-78. Jim Cleamons had 18 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, and Austin Carr added 17 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. In Game 4, on May 14, the Cavaliers won again at home, 106-87. Cleveland built a comfortable cushion on the scoreboard with the help of players like Bingo Smith, who had 27 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists; Jim Cleamons, who had 16 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists; and Austin Carr, who had 16 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
The success of the 1975-76 Cleveland Cavaliers carried into the following two seasons, as the team returned to the playoffs both years, though each trip ended in an early exit. After the 1977-78 campaign, the Cavaliers would have to wait six more years for another shot at the postseason.
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