2006–07 Cleveland Cavaliers season

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2006–07 Cleveland Cavaliers season
Eastern Conference Champions
Head coach Mike Brown
Arena Quicken Loans Arena
Results
Record 50–32 (.610)
Place Division: 2nd (Central)
Conference: 2nd (Eastern)
Playoff finish Lost in NBA Finals to San Antonio Spurs (0-4)
Local media
Television FSN Ohio · WUAB
Radio WTAM
< 2005–06 2007–08 >
File:LebronWizards2.jpg
LeBron James led the Cavaliers to their first Eastern Conference championship.

The 2006-07 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 37th season of NBA basketball in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers finished the season with a 50–32 record, a second-place finish in the Central Division, and the champions of the Eastern Conference. LeBron James was the team's leading scorer and finished in 2nd place in league MVP voting.

The team's season roster is featured in the video game NBA 2K16.


Key Dates:

  • On June 28, the 2006 NBA Draft took place in New York City, New York.
  • In July, the free agency period began.
  • On October 10, the Cavaliers' preseason began with a 93–109 loss to the Boston Celtics.
  • On November 1, the Cavaliers' regular season began with a 97–94 win over the Washington Wizards.
  • On March 27, the Cavaliers clinched a playoff berth.
  • On June 2, the Cavaliers won their first ever Eastern Conference championship.
  • On June 14, the Cavaliers' season ended in an NBA Finals sweep to the San Antonio Spurs.

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Offseason

Free agents

Additions
Player Date Former team
Scot Pollard August 18 Indiana Pacers
David Wesley September 5 Houston Rockets
Subtractions
Player Date New team
Flip Murray July 18 Detroit Pistons
Stephen Graham August 9 Portland Trail Blazers
Alan Henderson September 8 Philadelphia 76ers
Eddie Basden November Fenerbahçe

Trades

August 18, 2008
 To Cleveland Cavaliers
Eddie Basden		 To Chicago Bulls
Martynas Andriuskevicius
October 13, 2008
 To Cleveland Cavaliers
Dwayne Jones		 To Boston Celtics
Luke Jackson and cash considerations

Draft picks

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Main article: 2006 NBA Draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club Team
1 25 Shannon Brown Guard  United States Michigan State
2 42* Daniel Gibson Guard  United States Texas
2 55 Ejike Ugboaja Forward  Nigeria Union Bank Lagos (Nigeria)

*2nd round pick acquired from Philadelphia in Lee Nailon deal.[1]

Roster

Cleveland Cavaliers roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From
SG 6 United States Brown, Shannon 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Michigan State
PG 1 United States Gibson, Daniel 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Texas
PF 90 United States Gooden, Drew 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 250 lb (113 kg) Kansas
SG 32 United States Hughes, Larry 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 184 lb (83 kg) Saint Louis
C 11 Lithuania Ilgauskas, Zydrunas 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) 260 lb (118 kg) Lithuania
SF 23 United States James, LeBron (C) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) St. Vincent-St. Mary's
PG 19 United States Jones, Damon 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Houston
C 27 United States Jones, Dwayne 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 251 lb (114 kg) Saint Joseph's
PF 24 United States Marshall, Donyell 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Connecticut
SF 14 United States Newble, Ira 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Miami (OH)
SG 3 Serbia Pavlović, Aleksandar 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Serbia
C 31 United States Pollard, Scot 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) Kansas
PG 20 United States Snow, Eric (C) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Michigan State
PF 17 Brazil Varejão, Anderson 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Brazil
SG 4 United States Wesley, David 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 203 lb (92 kg) Baylor
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured Injured

Regular depth chart

Pos. Starter Bench Reserve
C Žydrūnas Ilgauskas Anderson Varejão Scot Pollard
PF Drew Gooden Donyell Marshall Dwayne Jones
SF LeBron James Ira Newble David Wesley (PG)left team
SG Sasha Pavlović Daniel Gibson Shannon Brown
PG Larry Hughes Damon Jones Eric Snow

Player salaries

Rank Player Salary
1 Larry Hughes $13,363,012
2 Zydrunas Ilgauskas $9,422,697
3 Drew Gooden $6,645,402
4 Eric Snow $6,093,750
5 LeBron James $5,828,090
6 Donyell Marshall $5,633,037
7 Damon Jones $3,884,678
8 Ira Newble $3,196,050
9 Scot Pollard $2,200,000
10 Sasha Pavlović $1,962,206
11 David Wesley $1,750,000
12 Shannon Brown $971,280
13 Anderson Varejão $945,600
14 Dwayne Jones $664,209
15 Daniel Gibson $412,718

Pre season

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Regular season

Standings

Central Division
W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Detroit Pistons 53 29 .646 - 26–15 27–14 9–7
x-Cleveland Cavaliers 50 32 .610 3 30–11 20–21 10–6
x-Chicago Bulls 49 33 .598 4 31–10 18–23 12–4
Indiana Pacers 35 47 .427 18 22–19 13–28 8–8
Milwaukee Bucks 28 54 .341 25 18–23 10–31 1–15
# Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 c-Detroit Pistons 53 29 .646 –
2 x-Cleveland Cavaliers 50 32 .610 3
3 y-Toronto Raptors 47 35 .573 6
4 y-Miami Heat 44 38 .537 9
5 x-Chicago Bulls 49 33 .598 4
6 x-New Jersey Nets 41 41 .500 12
7 x-Washington Wizards 41 41 .500 12
8 x-Orlando Magic 40 42 .488 13
9 Philadelphia 76ers 35 47 .427 18
10 Indiana Pacers 35 47 .427 18
11 New York Knicks 33 49 .402 20
12 Charlotte Bobcats 33 49 .402 20
13 Atlanta Hawks 30 52 .366 23
14 Milwaukee Bucks 28 54 .341 25
15 Boston Celtics 24 58 .293 29

November

Record: 9-6; Home: 7-2; Away: 2-4

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
1 November 1 Washington 97–94 Cleveland NA Larry Hughes (27) 20,562 1–0
2 November 3 Cleveland 88–81 San Antonio NA LeBron James (35) 18,797 2–0
3 November 4 Cleveland 88–92 Charlotte NA Drew Gooden (21) 19,147 2–1
4 November 7 Atlanta 95–104 Cleveland 1 LeBron James(34) 20,562 2–2
5 November 9 Chicago 113–94 Cleveland NA Drew Gooden (20) 19,947 3–2
6 November 11 Boston 94–93 Cleveland NA LeBron James (38) 20,562 4–2
7 November 13 Cleveland 102–96 New York NA James, D.Jones (29) 18,468 5–2
8 November 15 Portland 100–87 Cleveland NA LeBron James (32) 20,096 6–2
9 November 17 Minnesota 92–76 Cleveland NA LeBron James (37) 20,562 7–2
10 November 18 Cleveland 99–111 Washington NA LeBron James (20) 20,173 7–3
11 November 21 Memphis 97–94 Cleveland NA Drew Gooden (22) 20–562 8–3
12 November 22 Cleveland 87–95 Toronto NA LeBron James (30) 19,800 8–4
13 November 24 Cleveland 87–97 Indiana NA LeBron James (30) 18,165 8–5
14 November 25 Philadelphia 108–95 Cleveland NA LeBron James (25) 20,562 9–5
15 November 29 New York 98–101 Cleveland NA LeBron James (27) 20,192 9–6

December

Record: 8–6; Home: 6–1; Road: 2–5

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
16 December 1 Cleveland 106–95 Atlanta NA LeBron James (31) 19,650 10–6
17 December 2 Cleveland 63–81 Houston NA LeBron James (21) 18,260 10–7
18 December 6 Toronto 95–91 Cleveland NA LeBron James (26) 20,119 11–7
19 December 9 Indiana 107–75 Cleveland NA LeBron James (27) 20,562 12–7
20 December 11 Cleveland 89–95 NO/OK City NA Anderson Varejão (17) 19,164 12–8
21 December 13 Charlotte 104–101 Cleveland NA LeBron James (22) 20,562 13–8
22 December 15 Seattle 106–84 Cleveland NA Larry Hughes (25) 20,562 14–8
23 December 16 Cleveland 74–81 Orlando NA LeBron James (29) 17,451 14–9
24 December 20 Cleveland 111–113 New Jersey NA LeBron James (37) 17,270 14–10
25 December 21 Detroit 71–87 Cleveland NA LeBron James (26) 20,562 14–11
26 December 23 Orlando 86–83 Cleveland NA LeBron James (32) 20–562 15–11
27 December 27 Cleveland 89–76 Atlanta NA LeBron James (27) 19,467 16–11
28 December 29 Milwaukee 109–99 Cleveland NA LeBron James (32) 20,562 17–11
29 December 30 Cleveland 96–103 Chicago NA LeBron James (33) 22,965 17–12

January

Record: 9–7; Home: 3–3; Road: 6–4

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
30 January 2 San Antonio 82–78 Cleveland NA LeBron James (19) 20,214 18–12
31 January 3 Cleveland 107–104 Boston NA LeBron James (32) 18,624 19–12
32 January 5 Cleveland 95–86 Milwaukee NA Drew Gooden (31) 18,717 20–12
33 January 6 New Jersey 96–91 Cleveland NA Hughes, Gooden (21) 20,562 21–12
34 January 9 Cleveland 108–98 Sacramento NA LeBron James (34) 17,317 22–12
35 January 11 Cleveland 90–109 Phoenix NA LeBron James (34) 18,422 22–13
36 January 13 Cleveland 104–92 LA Clippers NA LeBron James (28) 20,027 23–13
37 January 16 Cleveland 96–101 Seattle NA LeBron James (30) 15,619 23–14
38 January 17 Cleveland 76–94 Portland NA LeBron James (23) 19,228 23–15
39 January 19 Cleveland 99–110 Denver NA LeBron James (30) 19,155 23–16
40 January 20 Cleveland 106–104 Golden State 1 LeBron James (32) 19,864 24–16
41 January 22 Orlando 79–90 Cleveland NA LeBron James (18) 20,562 24–17
42 January 24 Philadelphia 115–118 Cleveland 2 LeBron James (39) 20,562 24–18
43 January 26 Cleveland 105–97 Philadelphia NA Drew Gooden (21) 19,523 25–18
44 January 28 Phoenix 100–115 Cleveland NA LeBron James (30) 20,562 25–19
45 January 30 Golden State 124–97 Cleveland NA Sasha Pavlović (24) 19,443 26–19

February

Record: 7–5; Home: 5–2; Road: 2–3

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
46 February 1 Cleveland 89–92 Miami NA Daniel Gibson (19) 20,125 26–20
47 February 2 Charlotte 101–81 Cleveland NA LeBron James (18) 20,562 27–20
48 February 4 Detroit 78–90 Cleveland NA LeBron James (21) 20,140 27–21
49 February 7 LA Clippers 94–77 Cleveland NA Zydrunas Ilgauskas (16) 20,129 28–21
50 February 9 Miami 103–79 Cleveland NA LeBron James (29) 20,562 29–21
51 February 11 LA Lakers 99–90 Cleveland NA Sasha Pavlović(21) 20,562 30–21
52 February 14 Cleveland 98–99 Utah NA Larry Hughes(33) 19,911 30–22
53 February 15 Cleveland 114–108 LA Lakers NA LeBron James (38) 18,997 31–22
54 February 21 Cleveland 86–85 Toronto NA LeBron James (29) 19,800 32–22
55 February 22 Chicago 78–84 Cleveland NA LeBron James (29) 20,562 32–23
56 February 25 Cleveland 81–86 Miami NA LeBron James (29) 20,225 32–24
57 February 27 NO/OK City 97–89 Cleveland NA LeBron James (35) 19,619 33–24

March

Record: 11–5; Home: 6–2; Road: 5–3

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
58 March 1 Cleveland 92–95 Dallas NA LeBron James (39) 20,428 33–25
59 March 3 Toronto 120–97 Cleveland NA LeBron James (36) 20,562 34–25
60 March 5 Houston 91–85 Cleveland NA LeBron James (32) 20,562 35–25
61 March 7 Cleveland 101–97 Detroit 1 LeBron James (41) 22,076 36–25
62 March 10 Cleveland 94–92 Milwaukee NA LeBron James (32) 18,081 37–25
63 March 11 Indiana 99–88 Cleveland NA LeBron James (26) 20,562 38–25
64 March 13 Sacramento 124–100 Cleveland NA Hughes, Pavlović (25) 20,562 39–25
65 March 14 Cleveland 118–96 Memphis NA LeBron James (29) 14,561 40–25
66 March 17 Utah 82–73 Cleveland NA LeBron James (24) 20,562 41–25
67 March 20 Cleveland 100–108 Charlotte 1 LeBron James (37) 17,043 41–26
68 March 21 Dallas 90–98 Cleveland NA LeBron James (31) 20,562 41–27
69 March 23 New York 90–68 Cleveland NA LeBron James (21) 20,562 42–27
70 March 25 Denver 93–105 Cleveland NA James, Ilgauskas (18) 20,562 42–28
71 March 27 Cleveland 105–94 Indiana NA LeBron James (26) 14,024 43–28
72 March 28 Cleveland 93–97 New York NA LeBron James (24) 19,763 43–29
73 March 31 Cleveland 112–108 Chicago 1 LeBron James (39) 22,960 44–29

April

Record: 6–3; Home: 3–1; Road: 3–2

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Leading scorer Attendance Record
74 April 1 Cleveland 96–98 Boston NA Larry Hughes (24) 17,204 44–30
75 April 3 Cleveland 101–88 Minnesota NA LeBron James (31) 16,118 45–31
76 April 5 Miami 90–94 Cleveland 1 LeBron James (35) 20,562 45–31
77 April 6 Cleveland 99–94 Washington NA LeBron James (25) 20,173 46–31
78 April 8 Cleveland 82–87 Detroit NA LeBron James (20) 22,076 46–32
79 April 12 New Jersey 94–76 Cleveland NA LeBron James (35) 20,562 47–32
80 April 14 Atlanta 110–76 Cleveland NA LeBron James (23) 20,562 48–32
81 April 17 Cleveland 98–92 Philadelphia NA Larry Hughes (22) 17,693 49–32
82 April 18 Milwaukee 109–96 Cleveland NA LeBron James (24) 20,562 50–32
2006–07 game log
Total: 50–32 (Home: 30–11; Road: 20–21)
2006–07 season schedule

Player stats

Note: GP= Games played; GS = Games started; MIN= Minutes; FG% = field goal %, FT% = free throw %, 3FG% = 3 point % STL= Steals; BLK = Blocks; AST = Assists; REB = Rebounds; PTS = Points

Regular Season

Player GP GS MIN FG% FT% 3FG% STL BLK AST REB PTS
LeBron James 78 78 40.9 47.6% 69.8% 31.9% 1.60 .71 6.0 6.7 27.3
Larry Hughes 70 68 37.1 40.0% 67.6% 33.3% 1.27 .37 3.7 3.8 14.9
Zydrunas Ilgauskas 78 78 27.3 45.5% 80.7% 0.0% .62 1.26 1.6 7.7 11.9
Drew Gooden 80 80 28.0 47.3% 71.4% 16.7% .88 .35 1.1 8.5 11.1
Sasha Pavlović 67 28 22.9 45.3% 79.4% 40.5% .82 .25 1.6 2.4 9.0
Donyell Marshall 81 0 16.8 42.4% 66.3% 35.1% .48 .53 .6 4.0 7.0
Anderson Varejão 81 6 21.9 47.6% 61.6% 0.0% .94 .64 .9 6.7 6.8
Damon Jones 60 0 19.6 38.6% 68.2% 38.5% .27 .03 1.6 1.1 6.6
Daniel Gibson 60 16 16.5 42.4% 71.8% 41.9% .38 .13 1.2 1.5 4.6
Eric Snow 82 45 23.5 41.7% 63.7% 0.0% .67 .20 4.0 2.3 4.2
Shannon Brown 23 5 8.8 37.8% 71.4% 28.0% .30 .13 .4 .9 3.2
Ira Newble 15 1 8.6 43.2% 60.6% 53.3% .40 .00 .1 2.0 3.1
David Wesley 35 5 10.1 29.3% 79.4% 23.7% .34 .11 1.1 1.0 2.1
Scot Pollard 24 0 4.5 42.3% 50.0% 0.0% .17 .04 .1 1.3 1.0
Dwayne Jones 4 0 4.5 0.0% 50.0% 0.0% .00 .00 .0 1.5 .8

Playoffs

Player GP GS MIN FG% FT% 3FG% STL BLK AST REB PTS
LeBron James 20 20 44.7 41.6% 75.5% 28.0% 1.70 .50 8.0 8.1 25.1
Zydrunas Ilgauskas 20 20 32.5 49.2% 83.8% 0.0% .45 .80 .9 9.7 12.6
Drew Gooden 20 20 30.3 49.3% 76.9% 0.0% .50 .45 1.0 8.0 11.4
Larry Hughes 18 18 35.5 34.7% 74.6% 35.2% 1.39 .44 2.4 3.9 11.3
Sasha Pavlović 20 20 30.8 38.1% 52.8% 34.5% .95 .25 1.6 2.6 9.2
Daniel Gibson 20 2 20.1 43.1% 88.4% 40.9% .60 .20 1.1 1.6 8.3
Anderson Varejão 20 0 22.4 51.1% 56.3% 0.0% 1.05 .55 .6 6.0 6.0
Donyell Marshall 19 0 10.7 33.3% 63.6% 31.1% .16 .21 .3 2.2 3.5
Damon Jones 11 0 12.6 30.8% 1.000% 31.8% .00 .00 1.0 .8 2.4
Eric Snow 19 0 12.8 31.6% 57.1% 0.0% .58 .11 1.5 1.5 1.7
Ira Newble 6 0 1.7 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% .00 .00 .2 .2 0.0
Scot Pollard 3 0 1.0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% .00 .00 .0 0.0 0.0
Shannon Brown 1 0 1.0 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% .00 .00 .0 0.0 0.0

Awards and records

Awards

Records

  • On November 25, Zydrunas Ilgauskas tied a franchise record for offensive rebounds in a half (10) and in a game (12) in the Cavs' 108–95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
  • On December 6, Zydrunas Ilgauskas became the all-time offensive rebound leader in Cavs history in a 95–91 win over the Toronto Raptors.
  • In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron James set or tied franchise playoff records for: points in a game (48), points in overtime (9), field goals made and attempted in a game (18, 33) and field goals made in overtime (4).
  • In Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Daniel Gibson set or tied franchise playoff records for: points in a quarter (19), points in a half (25), rookie points in a game (31) and three-pointers in a half (5).
  • With his 19th playoff win, coach Mike Brown set the franchise record for playoff victories.

Milestones

  • On December 23, LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 7,000 career points (21 years, 359 days).
  • In the 2006-07 season, the Cavaliers swept all four California teams for the first time in team history (Golden State, Sacramento, LA Lakers, LA Clippers)
  • On March 14, LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 8,000 career points (22 years, 74 days).
  • On April 6, LeBron James became the 2nd faster player to record 8,000 points, 2,000 rebounds and 2,000 assists in a career. LeBron did it in 311 games while it took Oscar Robertson 269 games and Michael Jordan 339.
  • On April 14, the Cavaliers played the 3,000th game in franchise history

All-Star

  • LeBron James led all players in votes received and was voted in as a starter for the 2007 NBA All-Star Game. His 2,516,049 votes were the second most in NBA history. He became the first player in team history to lead the league in votes.
  • LeBron James led the Eastern Conference All-Stars with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in the 132–153 loss.
  • Damon Jones participated in the Three Point Contest and finished in 5th place.
  • LeBron James participated in the Skills Challenge and finished in 3rd place.

Transactions

Trades

The Cavaliers did not make a trade during the 2006-07 NBA season.

Free Agents

The Cavaliers did not sign any free agents during the 2006-07 NBA season.

Development League

  • On March 2, Shannon Brown was assigned to the NBDL's Albuquerque Thunderbirds.
  • On March 3, Shannon Brown was recalled from the Thunderbirds.
  • On March 23, Dwayne Jones was assigned to the Thunderbirds.
  • On March 27, Dwayne Jones was recalled from the Thunderbirds.

Playoffs

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Main article: 2007 NBA Playoffs

First Round

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (7) Washington Wizards

April 22
Washington Wizards 82, Cleveland Cavaliers 97
April 25
Washington Wizards 102, Cleveland Cavaliers 109
TNT
April 28
Cleveland Cavaliers 98, Washington Wizards 92
NBA TV
April 30
Cleveland Cavaliers 97, Washington Wizards 90
Cleveland wins series, 4–0

A rematch of the previous year's first round series was spoiled when Wizards star Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler were both forced out of the playoffs due to injuries received in the later parts of the regular season. Without Arenas and Butler, the Wizards found themselves unable to stop LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers from sweeping them out of the playoffs. It was Cleveland's first playoff sweep in franchise history.

Eastern Semifinals

(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (6) New Jersey Nets

May 6
New Jersey Nets 77, Cleveland Cavaliers 81
May 8
New Jersey Nets 92, Cleveland Cavaliers 102
May 12
Cleveland Cavaliers 85, New Jersey Nets 96
TNT
May 14
Cleveland Cavaliers 87, New Jersey Nets 85
TNT
May 16
New Jersey Nets 83, Cleveland Cavaliers 72
ESPN
May 18
Cleveland Cavaliers 88, New Jersey Nets 72
Cleveland wins series, 4–2

The Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1992, while the Nets have lost in the Conference Semifinals in three out of the last four years.

New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd averaged a triple double the entire playoffs, scoring 14.6 points, grabbing 10.9 rebounds and dishing out 10.9 assists per game.

The Cavaliers also got revenge of sorts, by eliminating the Nets two years after the Nets eliminated them on the final day of the regular season.[2][3]

Eastern Finals

Conference Finals: (1) Detroit Pistons vs. (2) Cleveland Cavaliers

May 21
Cleveland Cavaliers 76, Detroit Pistons 79
TNT
May 24
Cleveland Cavaliers 76, Detroit Pistons 79
TNT
May 27
Detroit Pistons 82, Cleveland Cavaliers 88
TNT
May 29
Detroit Pistons 87, Cleveland Cavaliers 91
TNT
May 31
Cleveland Cavaliers 109, Detroit Pistons 107 (2OT)
TNT
June 2
Detroit Pistons 82, Cleveland Cavaliers 98
Cleveland wins series, 4–2

In a rematch of last year's thrilling second-round series, the Pistons and the Cavaliers matched up in perhaps one of the closest contested series in NBA history, with the first five games being decided by 6 points or less. The spotlight of the series fell on Cleveland's LeBron James. Despite gaining some momentum in the opening games of the series against the experienced Pistons, key last-second decisions by James led to Cleveland losses in Games 1 and 2 in Detroit, by identical scores where Cleveland led for most of the two games. They faced a 0–2 deficit for the second straight year but would easily remember from the year before they could win three straight games to get back into the series.

With media circles on his back for his complacency in these games (James had a playoff career low 10 points in Game 1), LeBron came back to will the Cavs to close victories in Games 3 and 4 in Cleveland, evening the series at 2. The series shifted back to Detroit for a Game 5 that proved to be one of the most memorable postseason games in recent NBA history. In a match that went into double overtime, the Cavaliers stunned the Pistons on their home court, thanks to LeBron James' playoff career-high 48 point performance. James scored the Cavaliers' final 25 points of the game, including all 18 points in overtime making it two straight two-point wins at the Palace in Game 5.

This time around the heavily favored Cavaliers took advantage of their home court in 2007 and exploded in Game 6 to close out the Pistons once and for all, and to clinch the franchise's first trip to the NBA Finals. Rookie Daniel Gibson scored his career high 31 points including five three-pointers to lift the Cavs in the second half behind a roaring home crowd.

NBA Finals

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Main article: 2007 NBA Finals

Game 1

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers entered the 2007 Finals as newcomers. Game 1 was the first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history, and the first for each of its players (other than reserve point guard Eric Snow). However, the San Antonio Spurs had been to the Finals in three of the past eight seasons, winning a championship each time. With solid performances by Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili, the Spurs won the series opener in convincing fashion, limiting LeBron James to 14 points on 4–16 shooting.

June 7
9:00 p.m. ET
Cleveland Cavaliers 76, San Antonio Spurs 85
Scoring by quarter: 15–20, 20–20, 14–24, 27–21
Pts: Gibson 16, James 14
Rebs: James 7, Ilgauskas 6
Asts: James, Gibson 4 each
TOs: LeBron James 6		 Pts: Parker 27, Duncan 24
Rebs: Duncan 13, Ginóbili 8
Asts: Tony Parker 7
Blks: Tim Duncan 5
AT&T Center, San Antonio
Attendance: 18,797
Referees: Ken Mauer, Mike Callahan, Steve Javie

Game 2

The Spurs took a stranglehold on momentum in Game 2. The Spurs big three overwhelmed the Cavs and the Spurs led by as many as 29 points in the third quarter. They absolutely dominated game during first 3 quarters and played show-time basketball. A furious 25–6 rally by Cleveland in the final quarter wasn't enough as the Spurs took a 2–0 lead in the series.

June 10
9:00 p.m. ET
Cleveland Cavaliers 92, San Antonio Spurs 103
Scoring by quarter: 17–28, 16–30, 29–31, 30–14
Pts: LeBron James 25
Rebs: Anderson Varejão 10
Asts: LeBron James 6
TOs: LeBron James 6		 Pts: Tony Parker 30
Rebs: Duncan, Horry 9 each
Asts: Tim Duncan 8
Blks: Robert Horry 5
AT&T Center, San Antonio
Attendance: 18,797
Referees: Dick Bavetta , Jim Clark , Joe Derosa

Game 3

Rookie Daniel Gibson started Game 3 in place of the injured Larry Hughes but scored a series-low 2 points on 1–10 shooting. As a team the Cavs shot only .367 but out-rebounded the Spurs 48–41. Zydrunas Ilgauskas had a 2006-07 season high 18 rebounds. On the game's final play, LeBron James missed a potential game-tying 29 foot 3-pointer (which he contested as a foul on Bruce Bowen).

Game 3 was the lowest-scoring Finals game since 1955, with Tim Duncan of the Spurs having his lowest scoring game in his NBA Finals career, with 14 points.

June 12
9:00 p.m. ET
San Antonio Spurs 75, Cleveland Cavaliers 72
Scoring by quarter: 16–18, 24–20, 15–12, 20–22
Pts: Tony Parker 17
Rebs: Duncan, Bowen 9 each
Asts: Manu Ginóbili 5
Stls: Michael Finley 4		 Pts: LeBron James 25
Rebs: Ilgauskas 18, Gooden 12
Asts: LeBron James 7
TOs: LeBron James 5

Game 4

San Antonio started out strong through the first three quarters, leading by as many as 11. Cleveland would stage a rally near the end of the third quarter and the first five minutes of the fourth, scoring 14 consecutive points to take its first second-half lead of the series. However, the Spurs would stage a 12–3 rally of their own to retake the lead and win the series in a 4–0 sweep.

June 14
9:00 p.m. ET
San Antonio Spurs 83, Cleveland Cavaliers 82
Scoring by quarter: 19–20, 20–14, 21–18, 22–27
Pts: Manu Ginóbili 27
Rebs: Tim Duncan 15
Asts: Manu Ginóbili 5
TOs: Tim Duncan 6		 Pts: LeBron James 24
Rebs: Ilgauskas 13, Gooden 11
Asts: LeBron James 10
TOs: LeBron James 6
San Antonio wins series 4–0
2007 playoff game log
Eastern Conference First Round: 4–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 2–0)
Game Date
Time		 Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1
2
3
4
Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4–2 (Home: 2–1; Road: 2–1)
Game Date
Time		 Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1
2
3
4
5
6
Eastern Conference Finals: 4–2 (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–2)
Game Date
Time		 Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1
2
3
4
5
6
2006–07 season schedule

References

  1. ↑ Conditional 2nd round pick traded to Philadelphia for Lee Nailon and a 2006 2nd round pick http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2006/02/23/nailon_76ers_trade060223.html
  2. ↑ ESPN.com Recap: Nets VS. Celtics, April 20, 2005
  3. ↑ ESPN.com Recap: Cavaliers VS. Raptors, April 20, 2005

External links

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