The 1973-74 Cleveland Cavaliers season marked the team’s fourth year in the NBA. Coached by Bill Fitch, the Cavaliers aimed to improve upon their previous records, building a more competitive squad. Despite their efforts, the Cavaliers finished the season with a 29-53 record, placing them in the Central Division’s fourth spot, and outside of playoff contention once again.
This season was notable for the contributions of player Austin Carr, who led the team in scoring, averaging 21.9 points per game. Carr’s performance was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season. Jim Chones, another key player, provided solid support by averaging 11.0 rebounds per game, contributing to the team’s efforts on both ends of the court.
The Cavaliers faced considerable challenges throughout the season, struggling with consistency and depth. Despite these issues, the team managed to secure some memorable victories, demonstrating potential for future growth. However, they were unable to string together enough wins to make a significant impact in the standings.
The 1973-74 season was a building year for the Cleveland Cavaliers, setting the stage for future improvements. Although it ended without a playoff appearance, it provided valuable experience for the young franchise, which would go on to make more significant strides in subsequent seasons. The groundwork laid during this period was crucial in shaping the team’s future trajectory in the league.
- Regular Season Record: 29-53
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats for 1973-74 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Austin Carr | 81 | 21.9 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Lenny Wilkens | 74 | 16.4 | 3.7 | 7.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Bingo Smith | 82 | 14.8 | 5.3 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Dwight Davis | 76 | 12.5 | 8.4 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Steve Patterson | 76 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Bob Rule | 26 | 7.2 | 4.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Jim Cleamons | 81 | 7.0 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Jim Brewer | 82 | 6.1 | 6.4 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Barry Clemens | 71 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Fred Foster | 58 | 4.8 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Luke Witte | 57 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| John Warren | 69 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Cornell Warner | 5 | 1.6 | 3.4 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | |||||||
Cleveland Cavaliers 1973-74 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1973-74 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 1973 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 106-99 | |
| Oct 14, 1973 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 95-83 | |
| Oct 19, 1973 | vs. New York Knicks | L 92-90 | |
| Oct 20, 1973 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 101-88 | |
| Oct 23, 1973 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 103-96 | |
| Oct 26, 1973 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 104-97 | |
| Oct 27, 1973 | vs. Buffalo Braves | L 111-101 | |
| Oct 28, 1973 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 102-99 | |
| Oct 31, 1973 | @ Boston Celtics | L 128-110 | |
| Nov 02, 1973 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 118-100 | |
| Nov 03, 1973 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 105-94 | |
| Nov 04, 1973 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 115-110 | |
| Nov 06, 1973 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 115-96 | |
| Nov 09, 1973 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 111-106 | |
| Nov 10, 1973 | @ New York Knicks | L 100-90 | |
| Nov 11, 1973 | vs. Kansas City-Omaha Kings | L 103-93 | |
| Nov 13, 1973 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 128-115 | |
| Nov 16, 1973 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 117-93 | |
| Nov 18, 1973 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 102-100 | |
| Nov 22, 1973 | @ Houston Rockets | W 104-96 | |
| Nov 23, 1973 | @ Houston Rockets | W 85-83 | |
| Nov 25, 1973 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 107-101 | |
| Nov 27, 1973 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 120-118 | |
| Nov 28, 1973 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 96-91 | |
| Nov 30, 1973 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 112-110 | |
| Dec 01, 1973 | @ New York Knicks | L 119-99 | |
| Dec 02, 1973 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 130-104 | |
| Dec 05, 1973 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 89-75 | |
| Dec 07, 1973 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 96-91 | |
| Dec 09, 1973 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 117-106 | |
| Dec 11, 1973 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 101-100 | |
| Dec 14, 1973 | vs. Buffalo Braves | L 102-98 | |
| Dec 18, 1973 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 100-93 | |
| Dec 19, 1973 | @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings | L 106-92 | |
| Dec 21, 1973 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 101-96 | |
| Dec 22, 1973 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 108-98 | |
| Dec 23, 1973 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 99-91 | |
| Dec 26, 1973 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 123-110 | |
| Dec 27, 1973 | vs. Kansas City-Omaha Kings | L 110-100 | |
| Dec 29, 1973 | @ Boston Celtics | L 111-92 | |
| Dec 30, 1973 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 99-94 | |
| Jan 04, 1974 | vs. Capital Bullets | L 94-91 | |
| Jan 05, 1974 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 99-86 | |
| Jan 09, 1974 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 90-86 | |
| Jan 11, 1974 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 106-96 | |
| Jan 12, 1974 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 117-112 | |
| Jan 13, 1974 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 96-94 | |
| Jan 17, 1974 | @ Capital Bullets | L 101-86 | |
| Jan 19, 1974 | @ Kansas City-Omaha Kings | L 111-108 | |
| Jan 22, 1974 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 111-110 | |
| Jan 23, 1974 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 110-103 | |
| Jan 25, 1974 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 87-84 | |
| Jan 26, 1974 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 106-93 | |
| Jan 29, 1974 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 118-111 | |
| Jan 30, 1974 | @ Boston Celtics | L 120-108 | |
| Feb 01, 1974 | vs. Capital Bullets | L 107-99 | |
| Feb 02, 1974 | @ New York Knicks | L 103-87 | |
| Feb 03, 1974 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 108-94 | |
| Feb 05, 1974 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 102-87 | |
| Feb 08, 1974 | @ Houston Rockets | L 120-106 | |
| Feb 09, 1974 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 99-90 | |
| Feb 10, 1974 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 125-121 | |
| Feb 12, 1974 | vs. Capital Bullets | L 107-99 | |
| Feb 16, 1974 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 106-101 | |
| Feb 17, 1974 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-97 | |
| Feb 19, 1974 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 104-98 | |
| Feb 21, 1974 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 122-103 | |
| Feb 22, 1974 | vs. New York Knicks | L 117-110 | |
| Feb 23, 1974 | @ Capital Bullets | W 104-101 | |
| Feb 24, 1974 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 101-97 | |
| Mar 01, 1974 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 110-93 | |
| Mar 03, 1974 | @ Capital Bullets | L 98-93 | |
| Mar 09, 1974 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 109-100 | |
| Mar 10, 1974 | @ Houston Rockets | L 113-108 | |
| Mar 12, 1974 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 95-84 | |
| Mar 15, 1974 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 104-103 | |
| Mar 16, 1974 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 114-105 | |
| Mar 17, 1974 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 115-99 | |
| Mar 19, 1974 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 107-103 | |
| Mar 20, 1974 | @ Capital Bullets | L 101-91 | |
| Mar 24, 1974 | vs. New York Knicks | W 114-92 | |
| Mar 26, 1974 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 104-98 |