The 1995-96 Cleveland Cavaliers season was marked by a blend of solid performance and transition. Under the guidance of head coach Mike Fratello, the Cavaliers finished the regular season with a record of 47-35. This record secured them the fourth spot in the Central Division and the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The team was characterized by a strong defensive strategy, a hallmark of Fratello’s coaching style, which earned him the nickname “The Czar of the Telestrator.” The Cavaliers allowed the fewest points per game in the league, conceding just 88.5 points on average. This defensive prowess was key to their success in securing a playoff berth.
Offensively, the Cavaliers were led by Terrell Brandon, who emerged as the team’s standout player. Brandon, the starting point guard, averaged 19.3 points and 6.5 assists per game, earning him a spot in the NBA All-Star Game. Alongside him, players like Chris Mills and Bobby Phills provided valuable contributions on both ends of the court.
In the playoffs, the Cavaliers faced the New York Knicks in the first round. Despite their tough defense, they were unable to advance, losing the series 3-0. The sweep highlighted the team’s struggle to generate consistent offense against top-tier opponents. Overall, the 1995-96 season was a testament to the Cavaliers’ defensive capabilities, but also underscored the need for offensive improvements to compete at higher levels in the future.
- Regular Season Record: 47-35
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 0-3
Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats for 1995-96 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Terrell Brandon | 75 | 19.3 | 3.3 | 6.5 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 38.7 | 3 | 19.3 | 3.0 | 8.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 33.3 |
| Chris Mills | 80 | 15.1 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 37.6 | 3 | 7.7 | 5.3 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Bobby Phills | 72 | 14.6 | 3.6 | 3.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 44.1 | 3 | 9.7 | 4.7 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 20.0 |
| Danny Ferry | 82 | 13.3 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 39.4 | 3 | 9.7 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 6.2 |
| Dan Majerle | 82 | 10.6 | 3.7 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 35.3 | 3 | 16.7 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 43.5 |
| Tyrone Hill | 44 | 7.8 | 5.5 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 3 | 8.3 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Michael Cage | 82 | 6.0 | 8.9 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3 | 6.3 | 9.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.0 |
| Bob Sura | 79 | 5.3 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 34.6 | 3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Harold Miner | 19 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | |||||||
| John Crotty | 58 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 29.6 | 2 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Antonio Lang | 41 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| John Amaechi | 28 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Donny Marshall | 34 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 23.3 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Joe Courtney | 23 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Darryl Johnson | 11 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1996 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. New York Knicks
In the 1996 NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the New York Knicks in the first round. Despite a strong effort, the Cavaliers were unable to overcome the Knicks' defensive prowess and lost the series 3-0. Led by Chris Mills and Terrell Brandon, Cleveland struggled offensively against New York's stifling defense, marking a swift exit for the Cavs.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25, 1996 | vs. New York Knicks | L 106-83 | |
| Apr 27, 1996 | vs. New York Knicks | L 84-80 | |
| May 01, 1996 | @ New York Knicks | L 81-76 |
Cleveland Cavaliers 1995-96 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1995-96 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 03, 1995 | @ Orlando Magic | L 99-88 | |
| Nov 04, 1995 | @ Miami Heat | L 85-71 | |
| Nov 07, 1995 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 104-101 | |
| Nov 09, 1995 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 106-88 | |
| Nov 10, 1995 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 100-80 | |
| Nov 12, 1995 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 84-81 | |
| Nov 15, 1995 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 113-94 | |
| Nov 17, 1995 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 114-82 | |
| Nov 18, 1995 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 93-90 | |
| Nov 22, 1995 | vs. New York Knicks | L 94-84 | |
| Nov 24, 1995 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 100-93 | |
| Nov 25, 1995 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 89-87 | |
| Nov 28, 1995 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 93-89 | |
| Nov 30, 1995 | @ Washington Bullets | W 97-85 | |
| Dec 02, 1995 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 79-78 | |
| Dec 03, 1995 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 108-107 | |
| Dec 06, 1995 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 94-82 | |
| Dec 08, 1995 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 113-85 | |
| Dec 09, 1995 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 85-73 | |
| Dec 12, 1995 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 97-86 | |
| Dec 15, 1995 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 100-88 | |
| Dec 17, 1995 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 92-79 | |
| Dec 19, 1995 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 100-95 | |
| Dec 21, 1995 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 89-87 | |
| Dec 23, 1995 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 97-96 | |
| Dec 28, 1995 | @ New York Knicks | W 86-76 | |
| Dec 30, 1995 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 124-121 | |
| Jan 02, 1996 | @ Washington Bullets | W 108-100 | |
| Jan 05, 1996 | @ Boston Celtics | L 93-77 | |
| Jan 06, 1996 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 105-94 | |
| Jan 08, 1996 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 109-91 | |
| Jan 10, 1996 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 92-86 | |
| Jan 12, 1996 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 90-83 | |
| Jan 14, 1996 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 89-74 | |
| Jan 16, 1996 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 99-90 | |
| Jan 18, 1996 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | W 98-90 | |
| Jan 20, 1996 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 93-82 | |
| Jan 21, 1996 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 88-81 | |
| Jan 23, 1996 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 84-72 | |
| Jan 24, 1996 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 91-88 | |
| Jan 27, 1996 | vs. Miami Heat | L 102-85 | |
| Jan 29, 1996 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 88-86 | |
| Jan 31, 1996 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 81-71 | |
| Feb 02, 1996 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 107-85 | |
| Feb 03, 1996 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 111-88 | |
| Feb 06, 1996 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 91-73 | |
| Feb 13, 1996 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | W 110-100 | |
| Feb 15, 1996 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 95-76 | |
| Feb 17, 1996 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 97-82 | |
| Feb 19, 1996 | vs. Miami Heat | W 73-70 | |
| Feb 20, 1996 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 102-76 | |
| Feb 22, 1996 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 86-80 | |
| Feb 24, 1996 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 103-74 | |
| Feb 27, 1996 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 92-80 | |
| Feb 29, 1996 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 95-86 | |
| Mar 01, 1996 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 74-68 | |
| Mar 03, 1996 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 100-89 | |
| Mar 05, 1996 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 107-101 | |
| Mar 07, 1996 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 83-72 | |
| Mar 08, 1996 | @ Boston Celtics | W 96-91 | |
| Mar 10, 1996 | @ Miami Heat | L 88-81 | |
| Mar 14, 1996 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 98-73 | |
| Mar 15, 1996 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 80-69 | |
| Mar 17, 1996 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 115-84 | |
| Mar 19, 1996 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 81-72 | |
| Mar 21, 1996 | @ Houston Rockets | W 98-85 | |
| Mar 22, 1996 | @ Utah Jazz | L 88-75 | |
| Mar 24, 1996 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | W 90-85 | |
| Mar 26, 1996 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 96-89 | |
| Mar 28, 1996 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 83-81 | |
| Mar 30, 1996 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 90-64 | |
| Mar 31, 1996 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 105-100 | |
| Apr 03, 1996 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 105-89 | |
| Apr 04, 1996 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 98-77 | |
| Apr 06, 1996 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 93-89 | |
| Apr 10, 1996 | @ Orlando Magic | L 116-104 | |
| Apr 11, 1996 | @ New York Knicks | W 101-97 | |
| Apr 14, 1996 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 98-72 | |
| Apr 16, 1996 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 80-77 | |
| Apr 18, 1996 | vs. New York Knicks | W 92-77 | |
| Apr 20, 1996 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 75-73 | |
| Apr 21, 1996 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 89-88 |