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1991–92 Cleveland Cavaliers season

NBA professional basketball team season


NBA professional basketball team season

FieldValue
teamCleveland Cavaliers
end_year1992
wins57
losses25
division_place2
divisionCentral
conf_place3
coachLenny Wilkens
gmWayne Embry
arenaRichfield Coliseum
playoffs[Eastern Conference finals](1992-nba-playoffs-bracket)
(lost to [Bulls](1991-92-chicago-bulls-season) 2–4)
bbr_teamCLE
radioWWWE
  • Gordon Gund
  • George Gund III (lost to Bulls 2–4)
  • WOIO
  • SportsChannel Ohio

The 1991–92 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 22nd season for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association. After missing the playoffs the previous season, the Cavaliers received the eleventh overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft, and selected point guard Terrell Brandon from the University of Oregon. During the off-season, the team signed free agent John Battle, then later on re-signed former Cavaliers forward Mike Sanders in March after being released by the Indiana Pacers.

After two straight seasons of injuries, the Cavaliers would finally play the entire regular season without any significant loss of manpower. After a 13–9 start to the season, the team posted an 11-game winning streak, and held a 31–14 record at the All-Star break. The Cavaliers finished in second place in the Central Division with a 57–25 record, earning the third seed in the Eastern Conference, and returning to the NBA playoffs after a one-year absence; the team's record was tied with their franchise-high record set in the 1988–89 season.

Brad Daugherty averaged 21.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, while Mark Price averaged 17.3 points, 7.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and also led the Cavaliers with 101 three-point field goals, as both players were named to the All-NBA Third Team. In addition, Larry Nance provided the team with 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team, while Craig Ehlo contributed 12.3 points and 3.8 assists per game. Off the bench, sixth man Hot Rod Williams provided with 11.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, while Battle contributed 10.3 points per game, Brandon averaged 7.4 points and 3.9 assists per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, Steve Kerr provided with 6.6 points per game, second-year forward Henry James contributed 6.4 points per game, and second-year forward Danny Ferry averaged 5.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida, Daugherty and Price were both selected for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team. Meanwhile, Ehlo participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout, and Brandon was selected to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, but withdrew due to a sore knee injury. Price also finished in seventh place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Daugherty finished in eleventh place, and head coach Lenny Wilkens finished in fifth place in Coach of the Year voting.

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1992 NBA playoffs, the Cavaliers faced off against the 6th–seeded New Jersey Nets, a team that featured Dražen Petrović, second-year star Derrick Coleman, and Chris Morris. The Cavaliers won the first two games over the Nets at home at the Coliseum at Richfield, before losing Game 3 on the road, 109–104 at the Brendan Byrne Arena. The Cavaliers won Game 4 over the Nets on the road, 98–89 to win the series in four games.

In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the team faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and Atlantic Division champion Boston Celtics, who were led by the All-Star quartet of Larry Bird, Reggie Lewis, Robert Parish, and sixth man Kevin McHale. Despite the Celtics winning the Atlantic Division title, the Cavaliers had home-court advantage in the series, since they finished with a better regular-season record. After winning Game 1 at home, 101–76 at the Coliseum at Richfield, the Cavaliers lost the next two games to the Celtics. With the series tied at 3–3, the Cavaliers won Game 7 over the Celtics at the Coliseum at Richfield, 122–104 to win in a hard-fought seven-game series.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers then faced off against the top–seeded, and defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls, who won the Central Division title, and were led by the trio of All-Star guard, and Most Valuable Player of the Year, Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant. After losing Game 1 on the road, 103–89 at the Chicago Stadium, the Cavaliers managed to defeat the Bulls on the road in Game 2 by a 26-point margin, 107–81 to even the series. With the series tied at 2–2, the Cavaliers lost the next two games, including a Game 6 home loss to the Bulls at the Coliseum at Richfield, 99–94, thus losing the series in six games. The Bulls would defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in six games in the 1992 NBA Finals, winning their second consecutive NBA championship.

On December 17, 1991, the Cavaliers set an NBA record by winning with the second largest margin of victory of any game defeating the Miami Heat at home, 148–80 (68 points). Following the season, James was released to free agency.

Draft picks

Main article: 1991 NBA draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club team
111Terrell BrandonGuardUnited StatesOregon
239*Jimmy OliverGuardUnited StatesPurdue

*2nd round pick acquired from New York via Charlotte in Randolph Keys deal.http://n-c-systems.com/hoops/DraftTrades/1991.html New York Knicks acquired C Stuart Gray from Charlotte Hornets in exchange for a 1991 second-round draft pick.

Charlotte Hornets acquired Randolph Keys from Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for a future second-round draft pick

  • 2nd round pick (#38) traded to Los Angeles Clippers in Danny Ferry deal. Used to draft Joe Wylie.
  • 2nd round pick (#51) traded to New Jersey in Chris Dudley deal, then to Boston and Houston. Used to draft Žan Tabak.

Roster

  • Lenny Wilkens
  • Dick Helm
  • Brian Winters

Regular season

Season standings

:y – clinched division title :x – clinched playoff spot

:z – clinched division title :y – clinched division title :x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

|- | 1 || November 1, 1991 || @ Portland | L 106–117 | | | | Memorial Coliseum

0–1
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
-
6
-
7
-
8
-
9
-
10
-
11
-
12
-
13
-
14
-
15
L 102–108

| | | | Chicago Stadium

9–6
16
-
17
-
18
-
19
7:30 pm EST
W 134–107
Nance (26)
Daugherty (15)
Brandon,
Price (7)
Richfield Coliseum
11,429
12–7
-
20
-
21
-
22
-
23
7:30 pm EST
W 122–99
Brandon (19)
Daugherty (10)
Brandon,
Daugherty (7)
The Omni
10,384
14–9
-
24
-
25
-
26
-
27
-
28
-
29
-
30
-
31
-
32
-
33
-
34
L 114–121

| | | | Richfield Coliseum

24–10
35
L 85–100

| | | | Richfield Coliseum

24–11
36
-
37
-
38
-
39
-
40
-
41
-
42
-
43
-
44
-
45
- align="center"
-
46
-
47
-
48
-
49
W 113–112

| | | | Chicago Stadium

33–16
50
-
51
-
52
-
53
-
54
-
55
-
56
-
57
-
58
-
59
7:30 pm EST
W 110–94
Nance (35)
Nance (12)
Price (8)
The Omni
13,950
44–21
-
60
-
61
-
62
-
63
-
64
-
65
-
66
12 Noon EST
W 123–80
Daugherty (22)
Ferry (16)
Brandon (13)
Richfield Coliseum
15,406
45–21
-
67
-
68
-
69
-
70
L 102–126

| | | | Chicago Stadium

48–22
71
-
72
-
73
-
74
-
75
-
76
-
77
-
78
-
79
W 115–100

| | | | Richfield Coliseum

55–24
80
-
81
-
82
7:30 pm EDT
W 112–108
Price (22)
Nance (12)
Price (6)
Richfield Coliseum
17,296
57–25
-

Playoffs

Main article: 1992 NBA Playoffs

|- | 1 | April 23 | New Jersey | W 120–113 | Brad Daugherty (40) | Brad Daugherty (16) | Mark Price (10) | Richfield Coliseum 16,512

1–0
2
April 25
New Jersey
W 118–96
Brad Daugherty (29)
Hot Rod Williams (9)
Mark Price (15)
Richfield Coliseum
20,273
2–0
-
3
April 28
@ New Jersey
L 104–109
Larry Nance (28)
Larry Nance (14)
Mark Price (12)
Brendan Byrne Arena
15,258
2–1
-
4
April 30
@ New Jersey
W 98–89
Hot Rod Williams (20)
Brad Daugherty (14)
Craig Ehlo (7)
Brendan Byrne Arena
13,071
3–1
-
-
1
W 101–76
Brad Daugherty (26)
Brad Daugherty (17)
Mark Price (7)
Richfield Coliseum
17,496
1–0
-
2
L 98–104
Brad Daugherty (22)
three players tied (9)
Mark Price (8)
Richfield Coliseum
20,273
1–1
-
3
L 107–110
Mark Price (27)
Larry Nance (12)
Mark Price (10)
Boston Garden
14,890
1–2
-
4
W 114–112 (OT)
Larry Nance (32)
Craig Ehlo (9)
Mark Price (12)
Boston Garden
14,890
2–2
-
5
W 114–98
Brad Daugherty (28)
Brad Daugherty (9)
Craig Ehlo (13)
Richfield Coliseum
20,273
3–2
-
6
L 91–122
Hot Rod Williams (18)
Hot Rod Williams (11)
Mark Price (5)
Boston Garden
14,890
3–3
-
7
W 122–104
Brad Daugherty (28)
Nance, Daugherty (9)
Nance, Price (8)
Richfield Coliseum
20,273
4–3
-
-
1
May 19
@ Chicago
L 89–103
Brad Daugherty (23)
Larry Nance (12)
Mark Price (9)
Chicago Stadium
18,676
0–1
-
2
May 21
@ Chicago
W 107–81
Brad Daugherty (28)
Brad Daugherty (9)
Ehlo, Price (7)
Chicago Stadium
18,676
1–1
-
3
May 23
Chicago
L 96–105
Craig Ehlo (20)
Brad Daugherty (10)
Daugherty, Ehlo (5)
Richfield Coliseum
20,273
1–2
-
4
May 25
Chicago
W 99–85
Larry Nance (22)
Brad Daugherty (14)
Brad Daugherty (6)
Richfield Coliseum
20,273
2–2
-
5
May 27
@ Chicago
L 89–112
Mark Price (24)
Hot Rod Williams (11)
Ehlo, Price (3)
Chicago Stadium
18,676
2–3
-
6
May 29
Chicago
L 94–99
Larry Nance (25)
Larry Nance (16)
Mark Price (8)
Richfield Coliseum
20,273
2–4
-

Player statistics

Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
76221.5.480.118.8481.52.1.5.110.3
524516.0.378.000.7003.1.7.4.23.7
82919.6.419.043.8062.03.91.0.37.4
608.3.500.6251.0.5.5.02.5
737336.2.570.000.77710.43.6.91.121.5
636232.0.453.413.7074.93.81.2.312.3
68113.8.409.354.8363.11.1.3.25.1
65513.3.407.322.8031.7.4.2.26.4
482017.6.511.432.8331.62.3.6.26.6
4013.5.250.000.8891.81.3.3.03.5
818135.6.539.000.8228.32.91.03.017.0
2789.3.398.111.7731.0.7.3.13.6
1006.5.429.000.636.8.4.3.13.1
727229.7.488.387.9472.47.41.3.217.3
212026.3.583.333.7564.22.01.0.49.2
801230.4.503.000.7527.62.5.82.311.9

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
15013.5.415.000.913.81.0.3.15.9
12013.1.400.000.7501.82.5.3.13.9
171740.4.528.000.81410.23.4.61.021.5
171432.5.414.412.7624.54.51.2.39.6
906.1.467.3331.0001.8.1.1.12.1
802.8.100.000.500.3.3.1.0.5
12312.4.439.2731.000.5.8.4.03.7
171740.1.494.000.8299.22.5.82.718.0
502.4.444.000.7501.21.0.2.02.2
171735.5.496.362.9042.57.51.4.219.2
171724.6.487.333.8103.22.2.9.77.6
17033.4.545.7987.62.51.41.015.0

Player statistics citation:

Awards and records

  • Wayne Embry, NBA Executive of the Year Award
  • Mark Price, All-NBA Third Team
  • Brad Daugherty, All-NBA Third Team
  • Larry Nance, NBA All-Defensive Second Team
  • Terrell Brandon, NBA All-Rookie Team 2nd Team

References

References

  1. "1991-92 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats".
  2. (June 27, 1991). "UNLV's Johnson Is No. 1: NBA Draft: Coaches' Attempts in Charlotte and New Jersey to Select Billy Owens Are Overruled. Three UNLV Players Are Taken in the First Round". Los Angeles Times.
  3. (June 27, 1991). "As Expected, Hornets Select Johnson No. 1". Deseret News.
  4. "1991 NBA Draft". Basketball-Reference.
  5. (July 18, 1991). "Cavaliers Sign John Battle". Deseret News.
  6. (July 18, 1991). "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times.
  7. (March 23, 1992). "Miscellany". Los Angeles Times.
  8. Araton, Harvey. (April 26, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Cavaliers Push Nets Right to the Brink". The New York Times.
  9. "NBA Games Played on February 6, 1992". Basketball-Reference.
  10. "1991–92 Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference.
  11. "1991–92 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference.
  12. Heisler, Mark. (February 9, 1992). "Comeback or Farewell, a Magical All-Star Game". Los Angeles Times.
  13. (September 13, 2021). "1992 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com.
  14. "1992 NBA All-Star Game: West 153, East 113". Basketball-Reference.
  15. (February 8, 1992). "Pro Basketball". Gadsden Times.
  16. "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference.
  17. (February 4, 1992). "Adams Replaces Bird on All-Star Team". United Press International.
  18. "1991–92 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference.
  19. Harvin, Al. (May 1, 1992). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nets a House Afire, but the Wrong Kind". The New York Times.
  20. (May 1, 1992). "Cavaliers Defeat Nets, 98-89, to Earn a Shot at the Celtics". Deseret News.
  21. "1992 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Nets vs. Cavaliers". Basketball-Reference.
  22. (May 9, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Late Rally Puts Celtics One Up on the Cavaliers". The New York Times.
  23. Arace, Michael. (May 9, 1992). "Bird Still Needs Time, But Brown Going Strong". Hartford Courant.
  24. George, Thomas. (May 18, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Cavalier Youth Serves Up a Blowout of Aging Celtics". The New York Times.
  25. (May 18, 1992). "Cavaliers Step Up Into Conference Finals: NBA Playoffs: Daugherty Scores 16 Points in the First Quarter as Cleveland Beats Celtics". Los Angeles Times.
  26. "1992 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Celtics vs. Cavaliers". Basketball-Reference.
  27. Araton, Harvey. (May 22, 1992). "BASKETBALL; Cavaliers Plant Fear in Minds of the Bulls". The New York Times.
  28. Isaacson, Melissa. (May 22, 1992). "Bulls Wonder What Hit Them". Chicago Tribune.
  29. Brown, Clifton. (May 30, 1992). "BASKETBALL; It's Bulls Against Blazers as Jordan Rules Again". The New York Times.
  30. Baker, Chris. (May 30, 1992). "Flight Late, But Bulls Soar: East: Jordan Struggles for Three Quarters, But Scores 16 Points in the Fourth to Lead Chicago Into the Finals". Los Angeles Times.
  31. "1992 NBA Eastern Conference Finals: Cavaliers vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference.
  32. Brown, Clifton. (June 15, 1992). "With Jordan Starring, Bulls Make It a Rerun". The New York Times.
  33. Heisler, Mark. (June 15, 1992). "Bull Reserves Take Title by Horns: Game 6: Along with Pippen, They Go on a Late 14-2 Run That Carries Chicago to a 97-93 Victory". Los Angeles Times.
  34. "1992 NBA Finals: Trail Blazers vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference.
  35. (December 18, 1991). "Cavaliers Set NBA Record, Beating Heat by 68 Points". Los Angeles Times.
  36. Winderman, Ira. (December 18, 1991). "Heat Is Beaten by 68 Points". Sun Sentinel.
  37. "Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers Box Score, December 17, 1991". Basketball-Reference.
  38. (1984-11-01). "CLIPPERS: Clippers History". Nba.com.
  39. "NETS: Trade History". Nba.com.
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