The 2007-08 Cleveland Cavaliers season marked a period of transition and challenges for the team. Coming off a successful 2006-07 campaign where they reached the NBA Finals, the Cavaliers aimed to build on that momentum. However, they faced hurdles with roster changes, including key trades. Midway through the season, a significant three-team trade brought in players like Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak, and Delonte West, aiming to bolster the team’s depth and defensive prowess.
LeBron James continued to be the focal point, leading the team with an MVP-caliber performance, averaging 30.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. Despite his efforts, the Cavaliers experienced inconsistency throughout the regular season, finishing with a 45-37 record, positioning them as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
In the playoffs, the Cavaliers faced the Washington Wizards in the first round. They managed to advance after a 4-2 series victory, showcasing their resilience and LeBron’s leadership. However, their journey was cut short in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the Boston Celtics, who defeated them in a hard-fought seven-game series. The series highlighted the Cavaliers’ need for additional support around LeBron James to compete against top-tier teams. Overall, the 2007-08 season underscored the necessity for strategic improvements as they aimed for future success.
- Regular Season Record: 45-37
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 4-2, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 3-4
Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats for 2007-08 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| LeBron James | 75 | 30.0 | 7.9 | 7.2 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 31.5 | 13 | 28.2 | 7.8 | 7.6 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 25.7 |
| Zydrunas Ilgauskas | 73 | 14.1 | 9.3 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 13 | 13.1 | 7.5 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Larry Hughes | 40 | 12.3 | 3.6 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 34.1 | |||||||
| Drew Gooden | 51 | 11.3 | 8.3 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Daniel Gibson | 58 | 10.4 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 44.0 | 11 | 9.0 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 45.2 |
| Delonte West | 26 | 10.3 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 36.7 | 13 | 10.8 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 42.9 |
| Wally Szczerbiak | 25 | 8.2 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 36.5 | 13 | 10.8 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 32.3 |
| Joe Smith | 27 | 8.1 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 13 | 6.6 | 4.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Devin Brown | 78 | 7.5 | 3.4 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 30.8 | 8 | 4.1 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 29.4 |
| Sasha Pavlović | 51 | 7.4 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 29.8 | 8 | 3.5 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 44.4 |
| Shannon Brown | 15 | 7.0 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 31.0 | |||||||
| Anderson Varejão | 48 | 6.7 | 8.3 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 13 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Damon Jones | 67 | 6.5 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 41.7 | 5 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 28.6 |
| Ira Newble | 41 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 33.3 | |||||||
| Ben Wallace | 22 | 4.2 | 7.4 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 13 | 3.2 | 6.5 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Donyell Marshall | 11 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 34.8 | |||||||
| Billy Thomas | 7 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 30.8 | 3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Dwayne Jones | 56 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 5 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Lance Allred | 3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Eric Snow | 22 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Demetris Nichols | 3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Cedric Simmons | 7 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Kaniel Dickens | 5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2008 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Washington Wizards
In the 2008 NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Washington Wizards in the first round, a series marked by intense rivalry and physical play. LeBron James led the Cavaliers with dominant performances, averaging 29.8 points per game, as Cleveland secured a 4-2 series victory. The Cavaliers' defense played a crucial role, containing the Wizards' star Gilbert Arenas and advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 19, 2008 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 93-86 | |
| Apr 21, 2008 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 116-86 | |
| Apr 24, 2008 | @ Washington Wizards | L 108-72 | |
| Apr 27, 2008 | @ Washington Wizards | W 100-97 | |
| Apr 30, 2008 | vs. Washington Wizards | L 88-87 | |
| May 02, 2008 | @ Washington Wizards | W 105-88 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Boston Celtics
In the 2008 NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, taking the series to a thrilling seven games. LeBron James led the charge for Cleveland, showcasing his scoring prowess and determination, but ultimately, the Cavaliers fell short, losing to the Celtics in a tightly contested Game 7. The series was marked by fierce competition and highlighted the Cavs' need for more depth to support James in their quest for a championship.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 06, 2008 | @ Boston Celtics | L 76-72 | |
| May 08, 2008 | @ Boston Celtics | L 89-73 | |
| May 10, 2008 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 108-84 | |
| May 12, 2008 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 88-77 | |
| May 14, 2008 | @ Boston Celtics | L 96-89 | |
| May 16, 2008 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 74-69 | |
| May 18, 2008 | @ Boston Celtics | L 97-92 |
Cleveland Cavaliers 2007-08 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2007-08 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2007 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 92-74 | |
| Nov 02, 2007 | vs. New York Knicks | W 110-106 | |
| Nov 04, 2007 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 103-92 | |
| Nov 06, 2007 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 108-104 | |
| Nov 07, 2007 | @ Utah Jazz | L 103-101 | |
| Nov 09, 2007 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 93-91 | |
| Nov 11, 2007 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 103-95 | |
| Nov 12, 2007 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 122-100 | |
| Nov 14, 2007 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 117-116 | |
| Nov 16, 2007 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 99-94 | |
| Nov 20, 2007 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 111-107 | |
| Nov 21, 2007 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 97-86 | |
| Nov 24, 2007 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 111-108 | |
| Nov 25, 2007 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 111-106 | |
| Nov 27, 2007 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 109-104 | |
| Nov 28, 2007 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 109-74 | |
| Nov 30, 2007 | @ Toronto Raptors | L 91-82 | |
| Dec 02, 2007 | @ Boston Celtics | L 80-70 | |
| Dec 04, 2007 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 100-79 | |
| Dec 05, 2007 | @ Washington Wizards | L 105-86 | |
| Dec 08, 2007 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | L 96-93 | |
| Dec 11, 2007 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 118-105 | |
| Dec 14, 2007 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 105-97 | |
| Dec 15, 2007 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 92-86 | |
| Dec 17, 2007 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 104-99 | |
| Dec 19, 2007 | @ New York Knicks | L 108-90 | |
| Dec 20, 2007 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 94-90 | |
| Dec 23, 2007 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 105-96 | |
| Dec 25, 2007 | vs. Miami Heat | W 96-82 | |
| Dec 27, 2007 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 88-81 | |
| Dec 29, 2007 | @ New Orleans Hornets | L 86-76 | |
| Jan 02, 2008 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 98-94 | |
| Jan 04, 2008 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 97-93 | |
| Jan 06, 2008 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 93-90 | |
| Jan 08, 2008 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 95-79 | |
| Jan 09, 2008 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 90-81 | |
| Jan 11, 2008 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | W 113-106 | |
| Jan 15, 2008 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 132-124 | |
| Jan 17, 2008 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 90-88 | |
| Jan 21, 2008 | @ Miami Heat | W 97-90 | |
| Jan 23, 2008 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 121-85 | |
| Jan 25, 2008 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 110-108 | |
| Jan 27, 2008 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 98-95 | |
| Jan 30, 2008 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 84-83 | |
| Jan 31, 2008 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 101-95 | |
| Feb 02, 2008 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 98-84 | |
| Feb 05, 2008 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 114-113 | |
| Feb 07, 2008 | @ Houston Rockets | L 92-77 | |
| Feb 08, 2008 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 100-95 | |
| Feb 10, 2008 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 113-83 | |
| Feb 11, 2008 | @ Orlando Magic | W 118-111 | |
| Feb 13, 2008 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 112-105 | |
| Feb 19, 2008 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 93-85 | |
| Feb 20, 2008 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 106-97 | |
| Feb 22, 2008 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 90-89 | |
| Feb 24, 2008 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 109-89 | |
| Feb 26, 2008 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 105-102 | |
| Feb 27, 2008 | @ Boston Celtics | L 92-87 | |
| Feb 29, 2008 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 92-84 | |
| Mar 02, 2008 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 95-86 | |
| Mar 05, 2008 | @ New York Knicks | W 119-105 | |
| Mar 06, 2008 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 107-96 | |
| Mar 08, 2008 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 103-95 | |
| Mar 10, 2008 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 88-80 | |
| Mar 12, 2008 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 104-99 | |
| Mar 13, 2008 | @ Washington Wizards | L 101-99 | |
| Mar 16, 2008 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | W 98-91 | |
| Mar 17, 2008 | @ Orlando Magic | L 104-90 | |
| Mar 19, 2008 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 89-73 | |
| Mar 21, 2008 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 90-83 | |
| Mar 22, 2008 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 108-98 | |
| Mar 26, 2008 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | L 100-99 | |
| Mar 29, 2008 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 85-71 | |
| Mar 30, 2008 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 91-88 | |
| Apr 02, 2008 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | W 118-114 | |
| Apr 03, 2008 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 101-98 | |
| Apr 05, 2008 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 101-86 | |
| Apr 09, 2008 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 104-83 | |
| Apr 11, 2008 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 100-95 | |
| Apr 13, 2008 | vs. Miami Heat | W 84-76 | |
| Apr 14, 2008 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 91-90 | |
| Apr 16, 2008 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 84-74 |