The 1975-76 Cleveland Cavaliers season marked a significant milestone in the franchise’s history as they clinched their first-ever playoff berth. Under the guidance of head coach Bill Fitch, the Cavaliers emerged as formidable contenders in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. They finished the regular season with a 49-33 record, showcasing a remarkable improvement from their previous campaigns.
This season was particularly notable for the Cavaliers due to their strong team dynamics and strategic gameplay. Key players such as Austin Carr, Campy Russell, and Jim Chones played crucial roles throughout the season, but it was Nate Thurmond’s mid-season acquisition that added a defensive edge and veteran leadership to the squad. The Cavaliers’ success was characterized by their defensive prowess and ability to win close games, earning them the nickname “The Miracle of Richfield” after their playoff performance.
In the playoffs, the Cavaliers faced the Washington Bullets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. In a dramatic seven-game series, the Cavaliers triumphed, with Dick Snyder’s last-second shot in Game 7 sealing their advancement. However, their playoff run ended in the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the Boston Celtics in six games. Despite the loss, the 1975-76 season remains a historic chapter for the Cavaliers, laying the foundation for future successes and building a passionate fan base in Cleveland.
- Regular Season Record: 49-33
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-3, Eastern Conference Finals: 2-4
Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats for 1975-76 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Jim Chones | 82 | 15.9 | 9.0 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 7 | 15.0 | 7.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| Campy Russell | 82 | 15.0 | 4.2 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 13 | 13.6 | 5.5 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Bingo Smith | 81 | 13.6 | 4.2 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 13 | 12.6 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Dick Snyder | 82 | 12.6 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 13 | 12.0 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Jim Cleamons | 82 | 12.2 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 13 | 13.8 | 5.5 | 4.7 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Jim Brewer | 82 | 11.5 | 10.9 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 13 | 8.8 | 10.8 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| Austin Carr | 65 | 10.1 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 13 | 11.8 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Butch Beard | 15 | 6.5 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Nate Thurmond | 65 | 4.6 | 5.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 13 | 6.7 | 9.0 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 0.0 |
| Foots Walker | 81 | 4.6 | 2.2 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 13 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Rowland Garrett | 41 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Steve Patterson | 14 | 2.7 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | |||||||
| John Lambert | 54 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 6 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Luke Witte | 22 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Eric Fernsten | 4 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1976 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs Second Round vs. Washington Bullets
In the 1976 NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers made a memorable run in the second round against the Washington Bullets, clinching the series in seven games. Known for the u0022Miracle at Richfield,u0022 the Cavaliers displayed resilience and determination, with Dick Snyder's clutch shot in Game 7 securing their first-ever trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. This series marked a pivotal moment in Cavaliers' history, highlighting their emergence as a competitive force in the NBA.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 1976 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 100-95 | |
| Apr 15, 1976 | @ Washington Bullets | W 80-79 | |
| Apr 17, 1976 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 88-76 | |
| Apr 21, 1976 | @ Washington Bullets | L 109-98 | |
| Apr 22, 1976 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 92-91 | |
| Apr 26, 1976 | @ Washington Bullets | L 102-98 | |
| Apr 29, 1976 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 87-85 |
1976 Conference Championship vs. Boston Celtics
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 06, 1976 | @ Boston Celtics | L 111-99 | |
| May 09, 1976 | @ Boston Celtics | L 94-89 | |
| May 11, 1976 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 83-78 | |
| May 14, 1976 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 106-87 | |
| May 16, 1976 | @ Boston Celtics | L 99-94 | |
| May 18, 1976 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 94-87 |
Cleveland Cavaliers 1975-76 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1975-76 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 23, 1975 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 89-83 | |
| Oct 25, 1975 | @ New York Knicks | L 100-91 | |
| Oct 30, 1975 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 108-91 | |
| Nov 01, 1975 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | L 103-91 | |
| Nov 04, 1975 | @ Washington Bullets | L 113-96 | |
| Nov 06, 1975 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 113-108 | |
| Nov 07, 1975 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 94-90 | |
| Nov 08, 1975 | @ Houston Rockets | L 116-112 | |
| Nov 11, 1975 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 103-98 | |
| Nov 14, 1975 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 100-97 | |
| Nov 15, 1975 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 99-95 | |
| Nov 18, 1975 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 95-91 | |
| Nov 20, 1975 | vs. Buffalo Braves | L 118-115 | |
| Nov 22, 1975 | @ New York Knicks | W 95-94 | |
| Nov 23, 1975 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 105-90 | |
| Nov 25, 1975 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 98-94 | |
| Nov 27, 1975 | vs. Kansas City Kings | L 95-91 | |
| Nov 29, 1975 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 124-108 | |
| Dec 02, 1975 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 91-80 | |
| Dec 04, 1975 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 105-101 | |
| Dec 05, 1975 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 125-88 | |
| Dec 09, 1975 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 100-85 | |
| Dec 11, 1975 | vs. New York Knicks | W 109-95 | |
| Dec 12, 1975 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 109-91 | |
| Dec 13, 1975 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 112-90 | |
| Dec 16, 1975 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 123-103 | |
| Dec 17, 1975 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 115-101 | |
| Dec 19, 1975 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 128-124 | |
| Dec 21, 1975 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 99-98 | |
| Dec 26, 1975 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 98-97 | |
| Dec 27, 1975 | @ Washington Bullets | W 106-100 | |
| Dec 28, 1975 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 111-88 | |
| Dec 30, 1975 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 110-106 | |
| Jan 02, 1976 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 112-101 | |
| Jan 03, 1976 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 104-100 | |
| Jan 07, 1976 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 119-118 | |
| Jan 08, 1976 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 115-105 | |
| Jan 10, 1976 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 106-100 | |
| Jan 11, 1976 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 106-104 | |
| Jan 14, 1976 | @ Washington Bullets | L 92-88 | |
| Jan 15, 1976 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 98-91 | |
| Jan 17, 1976 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 105-85 | |
| Jan 20, 1976 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 98-85 | |
| Jan 22, 1976 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 109-99 | |
| Jan 24, 1976 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 132-89 | |
| Jan 27, 1976 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 85-83 | |
| Jan 28, 1976 | @ Houston Rockets | L 108-93 | |
| Jan 30, 1976 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 91-89 | |
| Feb 01, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 96-95 | |
| Feb 06, 1976 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 92-87 | |
| Feb 08, 1976 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 83-78 | |
| Feb 12, 1976 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 86-83 | |
| Feb 13, 1976 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 101-96 | |
| Feb 14, 1976 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 114-111 | |
| Feb 17, 1976 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 112-92 | |
| Feb 19, 1976 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 112-94 | |
| Feb 22, 1976 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 107-103 | |
| Feb 23, 1976 | @ Houston Rockets | L 117-114 | |
| Feb 25, 1976 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 108-101 | |
| Feb 29, 1976 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 108-97 | |
| Mar 03, 1976 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 108-92 | |
| Mar 05, 1976 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 113-100 | |
| Mar 06, 1976 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 117-106 | |
| Mar 11, 1976 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 110-99 | |
| Mar 13, 1976 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 99-77 | |
| Mar 16, 1976 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 109-105 | |
| Mar 18, 1976 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 110-104 | |
| Mar 19, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 103-81 | |
| Mar 20, 1976 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 107-99 | |
| Mar 21, 1976 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 95-92 | |
| Mar 25, 1976 | vs. Buffalo Braves | L 109-94 | |
| Mar 26, 1976 | @ Boston Celtics | L 95-93 | |
| Mar 27, 1976 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 103-99 | |
| Mar 30, 1976 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 95-86 | |
| Mar 31, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 110-101 | |
| Apr 01, 1976 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 95-88 | |
| Apr 03, 1976 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 104-101 | |
| Apr 04, 1976 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 120-92 | |
| Apr 06, 1976 | @ Boston Celtics | W 101-92 | |
| Apr 08, 1976 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 111-97 | |
| Apr 10, 1976 | vs. New York Knicks | W 99-94 | |
| Apr 11, 1976 | @ New York Knicks | L 103-78 |