The 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers had a standout season, finishing with a franchise-best 66-16 record. Under head coach Mike Brown, the team showcased a dominant performance throughout the regular season, largely thanks to LeBron James, who won his first NBA MVP award. James led the team with averages of 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game, solidifying his status as one of the league’s elite players.
The Cavaliers were also strong defensively, ranking first in the NBA in points allowed per game. Key roster additions, such as Mo Williams, who averaged 17.8 points and provided crucial perimeter shooting, bolstered the team’s performance. The team was supported by a solid core, including players like Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao, who contributed significantly to their defensive and rebounding efforts.
In the playoffs, the Cavaliers swept the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks in the first and second rounds, respectively. However, they faced a formidable challenge in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Orlando Magic. Despite LeBron James’ heroic efforts, which included a memorable game-winning buzzer-beater in Game 2, the Cavaliers were eliminated in six games. The Magic’s strategic use of Dwight Howard and effective perimeter shooting proved too much for Cleveland to handle, ending their championship aspirations. Despite the disappointing finish, the 2008-09 season remains one of the most successful in Cavaliers’ history.
- Regular Season Record: 66-16
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 4-0, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-0, Eastern Conference Finals: 2-4
Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats for 2008-09 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| LeBron James | 81 | 28.4 | 7.6 | 7.2 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 34.4 | 14 | 35.3 | 9.1 | 7.3 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 33.3 |
| Mo Williams | 81 | 17.8 | 3.4 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 43.6 | 14 | 16.3 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 37.2 |
| Zydrunas Ilgauskas | 65 | 12.9 | 7.5 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 38.5 | 14 | 10.5 | 7.8 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 15.4 |
| Delonte West | 64 | 11.7 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 39.9 | 14 | 13.8 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 33.3 |
| Anderson Varejão | 81 | 8.6 | 7.2 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 14 | 6.9 | 6.4 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Daniel Gibson | 75 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 38.2 | 14 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 35.7 |
| Wally Szczerbiak | 74 | 7.0 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 41.1 | 12 | 3.6 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 16.7 |
| Joe Smith | 21 | 6.5 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 33.3 | 13 | 5.5 | 3.7 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 60.0 |
| Sasha Pavlović | 66 | 4.6 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 41.0 | 11 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 25.0 |
| J.J. Hickson | 62 | 4.0 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Ben Wallace | 56 | 2.9 | 6.5 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 14 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Tarence Kinsey | 50 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 38.9 | 9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Darnell Jackson | 51 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 5 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Lorenzen Wright | 17 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Jawad Williams | 10 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 33.3 | |||||||
| Trey Johnson | 4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2009 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Detroit Pistons
In the first round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by MVP LeBron James, dominated the Detroit Pistons with a clean sweep, winning the series 4-0. Cleveland's defense stifled Detroit, holding them to under 85 points in three of the four games, while LeBron averaged over 30 points per game, showcasing his scoring prowess and leadership. This decisive victory set the tone for Cleveland's deep playoff run that year.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 2009 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 102-84 | |
| Apr 21, 2009 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 94-82 | |
| Apr 24, 2009 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 79-68 | |
| Apr 26, 2009 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 99-78 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Atlanta Hawks
In the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the second round by sweeping the Atlanta Hawks in four games. LeBron James was instrumental, averaging 33.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, showcasing his MVP form. The Cavaliers' stifling defense and explosive offense highlighted their championship aspirations, as they outplayed the Hawks in every aspect to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 05, 2009 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 99-72 | |
| May 07, 2009 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 105-85 | |
| May 09, 2009 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 97-82 | |
| May 11, 2009 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 84-74 |
2009 Conference Championship vs. Orlando Magic
In the 2009 NBA Playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James, reached the Eastern Conference Finals with high expectations after a dominant regular season. Despite their impressive form, the Cavaliers were upset by the Orlando Magic in six games, with Dwight Howard and an array of sharpshooters proving too much for Cleveland's defense. This loss highlighted the Cavaliers' need for additional support around James, who delivered remarkable performances but couldn't carry the team past Orlando's balanced attack.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 2009 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 107-106 | |
| May 22, 2009 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 96-95 | |
| May 24, 2009 | @ Orlando Magic | L 99-89 | |
| May 26, 2009 | @ Orlando Magic | L 116-114 | |
| May 28, 2009 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 112-102 | |
| May 30, 2009 | @ Orlando Magic | L 103-90 |
Cleveland Cavaliers 2008-09 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 2008-09 season for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28, 2008 | @ Boston Celtics | L 90-85 | |
| Oct 30, 2008 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | W 96-79 | |
| Nov 01, 2008 | @ New Orleans Hornets | L 104-92 | |
| Nov 03, 2008 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 100-81 | |
| Nov 05, 2008 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 107-93 | |
| Nov 07, 2008 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 111-107 | |
| Nov 08, 2008 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 106-97 | |
| Nov 11, 2008 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 99-93 | |
| Nov 13, 2008 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 110-99 | |
| Nov 15, 2008 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 105-93 | |
| Nov 18, 2008 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 106-82 | |
| Nov 19, 2008 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 96-89 | |
| Nov 22, 2008 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 110-96 | |
| Nov 25, 2008 | @ New York Knicks | W 119-101 | |
| Nov 26, 2008 | vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | W 117-82 | |
| Nov 28, 2008 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 112-97 | |
| Nov 29, 2008 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 97-85 | |
| Dec 03, 2008 | vs. New York Knicks | W 118-82 | |
| Dec 05, 2008 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 97-73 | |
| Dec 06, 2008 | @ Charlotte Bobcats | W 94-74 | |
| Dec 09, 2008 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 114-94 | |
| Dec 10, 2008 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 101-93 | |
| Dec 12, 2008 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 88-72 | |
| Dec 13, 2008 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 97-92 | |
| Dec 17, 2008 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | W 93-70 | |
| Dec 19, 2008 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 105-88 | |
| Dec 21, 2008 | @ Oklahoma City Thunder | W 102-91 | |
| Dec 23, 2008 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 99-90 | |
| Dec 25, 2008 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 93-89 | |
| Dec 28, 2008 | vs. Miami Heat | W 93-86 | |
| Dec 30, 2008 | @ Miami Heat | L 104-95 | |
| Jan 02, 2009 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 117-92 | |
| Jan 04, 2009 | @ Washington Wizards | L 80-77 | |
| Jan 07, 2009 | vs. Charlotte Bobcats | W 111-81 | |
| Jan 09, 2009 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 98-83 | |
| Jan 13, 2009 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | W 102-87 | |
| Jan 15, 2009 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 102-93 | |
| Jan 16, 2009 | vs. New Orleans Hornets | W 92-78 | |
| Jan 19, 2009 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 105-88 | |
| Jan 21, 2009 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 104-98 | |
| Jan 23, 2009 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 106-105 | |
| Jan 24, 2009 | @ Utah Jazz | W 102-97 | |
| Jan 27, 2009 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 117-110 | |
| Jan 29, 2009 | @ Orlando Magic | L 99-88 | |
| Jan 30, 2009 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 112-95 | |
| Feb 01, 2009 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 90-80 | |
| Feb 03, 2009 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 101-83 | |
| Feb 04, 2009 | @ New York Knicks | W 107-102 | |
| Feb 08, 2009 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 101-91 | |
| Feb 10, 2009 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 96-95 | |
| Feb 11, 2009 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 109-92 | |
| Feb 18, 2009 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 93-76 | |
| Feb 20, 2009 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 111-103 | |
| Feb 22, 2009 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 99-78 | |
| Feb 24, 2009 | vs. Memphis Grizzlies | W 94-79 | |
| Feb 26, 2009 | @ Houston Rockets | L 93-74 | |
| Feb 27, 2009 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 97-86 | |
| Mar 01, 2009 | @ Atlanta Hawks | W 88-87 | |
| Mar 02, 2009 | @ Miami Heat | W 107-100 | |
| Mar 04, 2009 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 91-73 | |
| Mar 06, 2009 | @ Boston Celtics | L 105-94 | |
| Mar 07, 2009 | vs. Miami Heat | W 99-89 | |
| Mar 10, 2009 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 87-83 | |
| Mar 12, 2009 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 119-111 | |
| Mar 13, 2009 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 126-123 | |
| Mar 15, 2009 | vs. New York Knicks | W 98-93 | |
| Mar 17, 2009 | vs. Orlando Magic | W 97-93 | |
| Mar 19, 2009 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 97-92 | |
| Mar 21, 2009 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 102-96 | |
| Mar 22, 2009 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 96-88 | |
| Mar 25, 2009 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 98-87 | |
| Mar 27, 2009 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W 107-85 | |
| Mar 29, 2009 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 102-74 | |
| Mar 31, 2009 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 79-73 | |
| Apr 02, 2009 | @ Washington Wizards | L 109-101 | |
| Apr 03, 2009 | @ Orlando Magic | L 116-87 | |
| Apr 05, 2009 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 101-81 | |
| Apr 08, 2009 | vs. Washington Wizards | W 98-86 | |
| Apr 10, 2009 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 102-92 | |
| Apr 12, 2009 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 107-76 | |
| Apr 13, 2009 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 117-109 | |
| Apr 15, 2009 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 111-110 |