The 1976-77 Cleveland Cavaliers season marked their seventh year in the NBA. Coming off their first playoff appearance in the previous season, the Cavaliers aimed to build on their success. Under the guidance of head coach Bill Fitch, the team played its home games at the Richfield Coliseum. The Cavaliers finished the regular season with a record of 43-39, which positioned them fourth in the Central Division and secured them a spot in the playoffs.
Key players for the Cavaliers included Austin Carr, Campy Russell, and Jim Chones. Carr, a shooting guard, contributed significantly to the team’s offense, while Russell and Chones provided strong performances in both scoring and defense. The team’s overall balanced approach and depth were crucial in maintaining competitiveness throughout the season.
In the playoffs, the Cavaliers faced the Washington Bullets in the first round. Despite their efforts, the Cavaliers were unable to advance, losing the series 2-1. This playoff appearance was a testament to the Cavaliers’ ability to remain competitive in the league, although they fell short of replicating the success of their previous season’s run. The 1976-77 season highlighted the Cavaliers’ growth as a franchise and set the stage for future development.
- Regular Season Record: 43-39
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 1-2
Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats for 1976-77 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Campy Russell | 70 | 16.5 | 6.0 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 3 | 17.7 | 8.7 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Austin Carr | 82 | 16.2 | 2.9 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3 | 7.7 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Bingo Smith | 81 | 14.5 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 3 | 7.0 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Jim Chones | 82 | 12.9 | 8.4 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 3 | 13.0 | 10.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Jim Cleamons | 60 | 10.4 | 4.6 | 5.1 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Dick Snyder | 82 | 9.3 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 3 | 6.0 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Elmore Smith | 36 | 8.7 | 6.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 3 | 13.7 | 8.0 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Jim Brewer | 81 | 8.5 | 9.4 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 7.7 | 12.0 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 |
| Gary Brokaw | 39 | 7.2 | 1.5 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 3 | 6.7 | 1.3 | 4.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Foots Walker | 62 | 6.5 | 2.6 | 4.1 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3 | 15.7 | 4.0 | 6.7 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Nate Thurmond | 49 | 5.5 | 7.6 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Rowland Garrett | 29 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| John Lambert | 63 | 2.5 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mo Howard | 9 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Chuckie Williams | 22 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1977 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Washington Bullets
In the 1977 NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Washington Bullets in the first round. The Cavaliers, known for their solid defense and teamwork, struggled against the Bullets' potent offensive lineup. Ultimately, Cleveland was eliminated in a hard-fought three-game series, losing 2-1, as Washington advanced with a decisive victory in the final game.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 1977 | @ Washington Bullets | L 109-100 | |
| Apr 15, 1977 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 91-83 | |
| Apr 17, 1977 | @ Washington Bullets | L 104-98 |
Cleveland Cavaliers 1976-77 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1976-77 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 22, 1976 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 106-95 | |
| Oct 24, 1976 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 100-95 | |
| Oct 28, 1976 | vs. New York Knicks | W 114-90 | |
| Oct 30, 1976 | @ Buffalo Braves | W 109-105 | |
| Oct 31, 1976 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 106-92 | |
| Nov 01, 1976 | @ New York Nets | W 82-75 | |
| Nov 04, 1976 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 96-88 | |
| Nov 06, 1976 | vs. New York Nets | W 101-93 | |
| Nov 07, 1976 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 107-97 | |
| Nov 09, 1976 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 111-90 | |
| Nov 10, 1976 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 123-112 | |
| Nov 13, 1976 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 103-90 | |
| Nov 14, 1976 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 97-95 | |
| Nov 17, 1976 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 92-78 | |
| Nov 21, 1976 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 97-92 | |
| Nov 25, 1976 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 111-105 | |
| Nov 26, 1976 | @ Boston Celtics | W 108-92 | |
| Nov 27, 1976 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 111-104 | |
| Nov 30, 1976 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 99-93 | |
| Dec 01, 1976 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 98-91 | |
| Dec 03, 1976 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 112-109 | |
| Dec 05, 1976 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 93-89 | |
| Dec 07, 1976 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 120-104 | |
| Dec 09, 1976 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 104-94 | |
| Dec 11, 1976 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 95-94 | |
| Dec 16, 1976 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 111-105 | |
| Dec 18, 1976 | @ New York Knicks | L 115-113 | |
| Dec 19, 1976 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 106-105 | |
| Dec 21, 1976 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 108-101 | |
| Dec 25, 1976 | @ Washington Bullets | L 117-99 | |
| Dec 26, 1976 | vs. Buffalo Braves | L 103-96 | |
| Dec 28, 1976 | vs. Kansas City Kings | L 113-106 | |
| Dec 30, 1976 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 105-100 | |
| Jan 01, 1977 | @ New York Knicks | L 121-110 | |
| Jan 02, 1977 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 104-80 | |
| Jan 06, 1977 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 129-100 | |
| Jan 07, 1977 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 116-96 | |
| Jan 08, 1977 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 114-107 | |
| Jan 11, 1977 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 101-99 | |
| Jan 14, 1977 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 116-96 | |
| Jan 15, 1977 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 94-79 | |
| Jan 18, 1977 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 101-93 | |
| Jan 20, 1977 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 99-91 | |
| Jan 22, 1977 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 130-116 | |
| Jan 26, 1977 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 106-93 | |
| Jan 27, 1977 | vs. New York Knicks | W 113-111 | |
| Feb 01, 1977 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 92-87 | |
| Feb 04, 1977 | @ Kansas City Kings | W 102-101 | |
| Feb 06, 1977 | vs. New York Nets | L 94-90 | |
| Feb 08, 1977 | @ Houston Rockets | L 97-81 | |
| Feb 10, 1977 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 116-101 | |
| Feb 11, 1977 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 101-94 | |
| Feb 15, 1977 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 117-96 | |
| Feb 17, 1977 | @ Buffalo Braves | L 112-103 | |
| Feb 19, 1977 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 92-88 | |
| Feb 20, 1977 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 112-111 | |
| Feb 24, 1977 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 99-86 | |
| Feb 26, 1977 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 104-98 | |
| Mar 02, 1977 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 105-85 | |
| Mar 04, 1977 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 113-101 | |
| Mar 06, 1977 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 104-99 | |
| Mar 08, 1977 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 112-102 | |
| Mar 10, 1977 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 106-100 | |
| Mar 13, 1977 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 115-113 | |
| Mar 15, 1977 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 133-102 | |
| Mar 17, 1977 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 88-87 | |
| Mar 18, 1977 | @ New York Nets | W 101-88 | |
| Mar 19, 1977 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 94-89 | |
| Mar 20, 1977 | vs. Buffalo Braves | W 115-108 | |
| Mar 22, 1977 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-104 | |
| Mar 23, 1977 | @ Washington Bullets | L 95-90 | |
| Mar 24, 1977 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | L 92-87 | |
| Mar 26, 1977 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 99-94 | |
| Mar 27, 1977 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 95-90 | |
| Mar 29, 1977 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 110-82 | |
| Apr 01, 1977 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 115-106 | |
| Apr 02, 1977 | @ Houston Rockets | L 106-93 | |
| Apr 03, 1977 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 113-107 | |
| Apr 05, 1977 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 119-113 | |
| Apr 07, 1977 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 108-94 | |
| Apr 09, 1977 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 103-96 | |
| Apr 10, 1977 | @ Boston Celtics | L 115-105 |