The 1997-98 Cleveland Cavaliers season marked a period of transition and rebuilding for the franchise. Under the guidance of head coach Mike Fratello, the team finished with a record of 47-35, securing a playoff spot as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. This season was notable for its defensive emphasis, as the Cavaliers ranked among the top teams in the league in points allowed per game, a hallmark of Fratello’s coaching style.
The Cavaliers were led by a young and promising core, including standout performances from players like Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Shawn Kemp. Ilgauskas, in particular, showcased his potential as a dominant center, although his season was cut short due to injuries. Kemp, acquired in a blockbuster trade prior to the season, was expected to be a major contributor. Despite his solid performance, averaging 18 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, the team struggled at times to find consistent scoring.
In the playoffs, the Cavaliers faced the Indiana Pacers in the first round. Unfortunately for Cleveland, they were unable to advance, losing the series 3-1. The Cavaliers’ playoff exit highlighted the need for further development and depth in the roster. Overall, the 1997-98 season was a step forward for the Cavaliers, as they continued to build a competitive team while navigating the challenges of integrating new players and overcoming injuries.
- Regular Season Record: 47-35
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 1-3
Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats for 1997-98 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Shawn Kemp | 80 | 18.0 | 9.3 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 25.0 | 4 | 26.0 | 10.3 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Wesley Person | 82 | 14.7 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 43.0 | 4 | 8.0 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 36.8 |
| Zydrunas Ilgauskas | 82 | 13.9 | 8.8 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 25.0 | 4 | 17.3 | 7.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.0 |
| Derek Anderson | 66 | 11.7 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 20.2 | 4 | 10.8 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Cedric Henderson | 82 | 10.1 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 4 | 7.5 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Brevin Knight | 80 | 9.0 | 3.2 | 8.2 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 4 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 5.8 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Vitaly Potapenko | 80 | 7.1 | 3.9 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 4 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bob Sura | 46 | 5.8 | 2.0 | 3.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 31.7 | 3 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Danny Ferry | 69 | 4.2 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 33.3 | 3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Henry James | 28 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 44.0 | |||||||
| Greg Graham | 6 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Carl Thomas | 29 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 39.5 | 1 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mitchell Butler | 18 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 16.7 | |||||||
| Tony Dumas | 7 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 | |||||||
| Scott Brooks | 43 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 45.5 | 1 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Shawnelle Scott | 41 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1998 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Indiana Pacers
In the 1998 NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Indiana Pacers in the first round. Despite a strong defensive effort, the Cavaliers were unable to contain the Pacers' offensive prowess, led by Reggie Miller, and were swept 3-1 in the series. The loss highlighted Cleveland's need for more offensive firepower to complement their defensive strengths.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 1998 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 106-77 | |
| Apr 25, 1998 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 92-86 | |
| Apr 27, 1998 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 86-77 | |
| Apr 30, 1998 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 80-74 |
Cleveland Cavaliers 1997-98 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1997-98 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1997 | @ Houston Rockets | L 94-86 | |
| Nov 01, 1997 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 83-80 | |
| Nov 04, 1997 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 80-77 | |
| Nov 07, 1997 | @ Boston Celtics | W 96-92 | |
| Nov 08, 1997 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 99-97 | |
| Nov 11, 1997 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 101-80 | |
| Nov 13, 1997 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 85-74 | |
| Nov 15, 1997 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 79-70 | |
| Nov 16, 1997 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 77-72 | |
| Nov 19, 1997 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 96-93 | |
| Nov 21, 1997 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 103-80 | |
| Nov 22, 1997 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 110-101 | |
| Nov 26, 1997 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 95-89 | |
| Nov 28, 1997 | @ Charlotte Hornets | W 97-91 | |
| Nov 29, 1997 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 103-97 | |
| Dec 03, 1997 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 95-67 | |
| Dec 05, 1997 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 107-98 | |
| Dec 07, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 94-84 | |
| Dec 10, 1997 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 102-83 | |
| Dec 11, 1997 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 79-77 | |
| Dec 13, 1997 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 85-84 | |
| Dec 16, 1997 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 103-90 | |
| Dec 17, 1997 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 94-83 | |
| Dec 19, 1997 | vs. New York Knicks | L 104-77 | |
| Dec 21, 1997 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 106-101 | |
| Dec 23, 1997 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 99-85 | |
| Dec 26, 1997 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 96-88 | |
| Dec 30, 1997 | vs. Miami Heat | L 90-78 | |
| Jan 02, 1998 | @ Orlando Magic | W 81-71 | |
| Jan 03, 1998 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 95-81 | |
| Jan 06, 1998 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 100-70 | |
| Jan 08, 1998 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-84 | |
| Jan 10, 1998 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 102-93 | |
| Jan 12, 1998 | @ Utah Jazz | L 106-99 | |
| Jan 13, 1998 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 102-84 | |
| Jan 16, 1998 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 99-74 | |
| Jan 17, 1998 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-91 | |
| Jan 20, 1998 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 86-84 | |
| Jan 22, 1998 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 112-96 | |
| Jan 24, 1998 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 111-92 | |
| Jan 26, 1998 | @ Miami Heat | W 94-93 | |
| Jan 27, 1998 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 84-77 | |
| Jan 30, 1998 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 89-83 | |
| Jan 31, 1998 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 90-88 | |
| Feb 02, 1998 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 109-99 | |
| Feb 04, 1998 | @ Washington Wizards | L 104-88 | |
| Feb 05, 1998 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 108-94 | |
| Feb 10, 1998 | vs. Miami Heat | L 91-81 | |
| Feb 12, 1998 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 103-94 | |
| Feb 14, 1998 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 99-93 | |
| Feb 15, 1998 | @ New York Knicks | L 102-91 | |
| Feb 17, 1998 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 98-97 | |
| Feb 20, 1998 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 109-95 | |
| Feb 22, 1998 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 79-71 | |
| Feb 23, 1998 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 97-75 | |
| Feb 25, 1998 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 106-101 | |
| Feb 27, 1998 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 90-87 | |
| Mar 01, 1998 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 102-82 | |
| Mar 04, 1998 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 122-88 | |
| Mar 06, 1998 | @ Orlando Magic | L 91-89 | |
| Mar 08, 1998 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 101-96 | |
| Mar 11, 1998 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 95-83 | |
| Mar 12, 1998 | @ Miami Heat | L 97-74 | |
| Mar 14, 1998 | vs. New York Knicks | W 88-85 | |
| Mar 17, 1998 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 96-82 | |
| Mar 19, 1998 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 90-85 | |
| Mar 21, 1998 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 100-79 | |
| Mar 24, 1998 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 86-85 | |
| Mar 26, 1998 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 97-96 | |
| Mar 27, 1998 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 88-87 | |
| Mar 29, 1998 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 97-82 | |
| Mar 31, 1998 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 93-86 | |
| Apr 01, 1998 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 92-90 | |
| Apr 03, 1998 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 105-93 | |
| Apr 05, 1998 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 94-93 | |
| Apr 07, 1998 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 82-80 | |
| Apr 09, 1998 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 91-85 | |
| Apr 11, 1998 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 106-95 | |
| Apr 14, 1998 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 95-86 | |
| Apr 15, 1998 | @ Washington Wizards | L 101-93 | |
| Apr 17, 1998 | @ Boston Celtics | L 78-71 | |
| Apr 18, 1998 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 96-92 |