The 1978-79 Cleveland Cavaliers season marked the team’s ninth year in the NBA. Under the guidance of head coach Bill Fitch, the Cavaliers sought to improve upon their previous performances. However, the season proved to be challenging, as the team struggled to find consistency on the court.
The Cavaliers finished the regular season with a record of 30 wins and 52 losses, which placed them fourth in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. This outcome was disappointing for the franchise, which had hoped to make a playoff appearance after missing out in the 1977-78 season. Despite their efforts, the Cavaliers were unable to secure a spot in the postseason, continuing a streak of playoff absences.
Throughout the season, the team faced difficulties with injuries and roster changes, which impacted their performance. Notably, the Cavaliers were unable to capitalize on the talents of standout player Campy Russell, who provided a solid offensive presence for the team. Additionally, the team struggled defensively, which contributed to their inability to close out games.
Overall, the 1978-79 season was a period of transition and rebuilding for the Cleveland Cavaliers, as they aimed to develop a more competitive roster for future campaigns. The challenges faced during this season highlighted the need for strategic adjustments and personnel changes to better position the team for success in subsequent years.
- Regular Season Record: 30-52
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats for 1978-79 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Campy Russell | 74 | 21.9 | 6.8 | 4.7 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Austin Carr | 82 | 17.0 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Jim Chones | 82 | 13.4 | 10.3 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Terry Furlow | 49 | 13.3 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Butch Lee | 33 | 11.5 | 2.0 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Bingo Smith | 72 | 11.2 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Walt Frazier | 12 | 10.8 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Mike Mitchell | 80 | 10.7 | 4.1 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Foots Walker | 55 | 10.1 | 3.6 | 5.8 | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Elmore Smith | 24 | 6.5 | 4.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Kenny Higgs | 68 | 5.0 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| John Lambert | 70 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Jim Brewer | 55 | 4.6 | 6.7 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Harry Davis | 40 | 4.1 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
Cleveland Cavaliers 1978-79 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1978-79 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13, 1978 | @ Boston Celtics | W 115-101 | |
| Oct 17, 1978 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 113-111 | |
| Oct 21, 1978 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 113-104 | |
| Oct 24, 1978 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | W 122-104 | |
| Oct 25, 1978 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 110-105 | |
| Oct 27, 1978 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 123-108 | |
| Oct 29, 1978 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 99-94 | |
| Oct 31, 1978 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 119-114 | |
| Nov 01, 1978 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 122-107 | |
| Nov 03, 1978 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 110-93 | |
| Nov 04, 1978 | @ San Diego Clippers | W 112-106 | |
| Nov 05, 1978 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 117-107 | |
| Nov 08, 1978 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 118-96 | |
| Nov 10, 1978 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 109-95 | |
| Nov 12, 1978 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 98-91 | |
| Nov 14, 1978 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 122-106 | |
| Nov 16, 1978 | vs. New York Knicks | L 97-93 | |
| Nov 18, 1978 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 92-90 | |
| Nov 21, 1978 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 110-108 | |
| Nov 24, 1978 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 104-98 | |
| Nov 28, 1978 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 112-98 | |
| Nov 30, 1978 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 98-97 | |
| Dec 02, 1978 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 106-100 | |
| Dec 05, 1978 | @ Washington Bullets | L 117-102 | |
| Dec 07, 1978 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 121-105 | |
| Dec 09, 1978 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 115-107 | |
| Dec 12, 1978 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 127-110 | |
| Dec 15, 1978 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 110-106 | |
| Dec 16, 1978 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 108-100 | |
| Dec 17, 1978 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 101-91 | |
| Dec 19, 1978 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 113-106 | |
| Dec 21, 1978 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 101-90 | |
| Dec 23, 1978 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 109-91 | |
| Dec 28, 1978 | vs. San Diego Clippers | W 116-114 | |
| Dec 30, 1978 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 104-94 | |
| Jan 02, 1979 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 116-113 | |
| Jan 04, 1979 | vs. New York Knicks | W 117-103 | |
| Jan 06, 1979 | @ New Orleans Jazz | W 105-94 | |
| Jan 07, 1979 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 112-108 | |
| Jan 12, 1979 | @ Houston Rockets | L 107-96 | |
| Jan 13, 1979 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 117-103 | |
| Jan 16, 1979 | vs. Kansas City Kings | L 86-79 | |
| Jan 17, 1979 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 107-94 | |
| Jan 19, 1979 | @ New York Knicks | L 105-101 | |
| Jan 21, 1979 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 94-93 | |
| Jan 23, 1979 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 108-107 | |
| Jan 24, 1979 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 123-114 | |
| Jan 27, 1979 | vs. San Diego Clippers | L 111-110 | |
| Jan 28, 1979 | @ Kansas City Kings | L 137-109 | |
| Feb 01, 1979 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 120-116 | |
| Feb 02, 1979 | @ Boston Celtics | L 112-98 | |
| Feb 06, 1979 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 119-100 | |
| Feb 07, 1979 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 120-105 | |
| Feb 09, 1979 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 106-103 | |
| Feb 11, 1979 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 136-101 | |
| Feb 13, 1979 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 117-111 | |
| Feb 15, 1979 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 113-100 | |
| Feb 17, 1979 | @ New York Knicks | W 127-117 | |
| Feb 20, 1979 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 119-109 | |
| Feb 22, 1979 | vs. Kansas City Kings | W 111-107 | |
| Feb 24, 1979 | vs. New Orleans Jazz | L 105-96 | |
| Feb 25, 1979 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 117-108 | |
| Feb 28, 1979 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 139-117 | |
| Mar 02, 1979 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 111-109 | |
| Mar 04, 1979 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 106-102 | |
| Mar 07, 1979 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 103-101 | |
| Mar 10, 1979 | @ San Diego Clippers | L 121-115 | |
| Mar 13, 1979 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 124-120 | |
| Mar 15, 1979 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 104-98 | |
| Mar 17, 1979 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 117-114 | |
| Mar 18, 1979 | @ Washington Bullets | L 126-112 | |
| Mar 20, 1979 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 115-109 | |
| Mar 22, 1979 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 108-106 | |
| Mar 24, 1979 | @ New Orleans Jazz | L 139-117 | |
| Mar 27, 1979 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 111-109 | |
| Mar 29, 1979 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 120-103 | |
| Mar 30, 1979 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 129-93 | |
| Apr 01, 1979 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 114-105 | |
| Apr 03, 1979 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 116-112 | |
| Apr 04, 1979 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 102-95 | |
| Apr 06, 1979 | @ Houston Rockets | L 112-110 | |
| Apr 08, 1979 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 117-101 |