1992–93 Cleveland Cavaliers season

Last updated

1992–93   Cleveland Cavaliers season
Head coach Lenny Wilkens
General manager Wayne Embry
Owners
Arena Richfield Coliseum
Results
Record5428 (.659)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Central)
Conference: 3rd (Eastern)
Playoff finish Conference Semi-finals
(lost to Bulls 0–4)

Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television
Radio WWWE
< 1991–92 1993–94 >

The 1992–93 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 23rd season for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association. [1] During the off-season, the Cavaliers signed free agent Gerald Wilkins, [2] [3] [4] and later on traded Steve Kerr to the Orlando Magic in exchange for a second-round draft pick, during the first month of the regular season. [5] [6] [7]

Contents

The Cavaliers struggled with an 8–11 start to the season, but then played above .500 in winning percentage, by posting a 7-game winning streak afterwards in December. The Cavs also had a 12–1 record in February, held a 34–19 record at the All-Star break, [8] then posted a ten-game winning streak in April, finishing in second place in the Central Division with a 54–28 record, and earning the third seed in the Eastern Conference; the team also posted a very successful 35–6 home record at the Coliseum at Richfield during the regular season. [9]

Brad Daugherty led the team with 20.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, while Mark Price averaged 18.2 points and 8.0 assists per game, led the Cavaliers with 122 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA First Team, and Larry Nance averaged 16.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. In addition, Craig Ehlo provided the team with 11.6 points per game, while Wilkins contributed 11.1 points per game, and sixth man Hot Rod Williams provided with 11.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game off the bench. Meanwhile, starting small forward Mike Sanders contributed 8.6 points per game, while also off the bench, second-year guard Terrell Brandon contributed 8.8 points and 3.7 assists per game, and Danny Ferry averaged 7.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. [10]

During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, Daugherty, Price and Nance were all selected for the 1993 NBA All-Star Game, as members of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was the fifth and final All-Star appearance for Daugherty, and the third and final appearance for Nance. [11] [12] [13] In addition, Price also won the NBA Three-Point Shootout. [14] [12] [15] Price also finished tied in eighth place in Most Valuable Player voting, while Daugherty finished tied in tenth place, [16] [17] and head coach Lenny Wilkens finished in eighth place in Coach of the Year voting. [18] [17]

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1993 NBA playoffs, and for the second consecutive year, the Cavaliers faced off against the 6th–seeded New Jersey Nets, who were led by Dražen Petrović and Derrick Coleman; the Nets were without second-year star Kenny Anderson, who was out due to a season-ending wrist injury. With the series tied at 2–2, the Cavaliers defeated the Nets in Game 5 at home, 99–89 at the Coliseum at Richfield, as the team won in a full five-game series. [19] [20] [21]

In the Eastern Conference Semi-finals, and also for the second consecutive year, the Cavaliers faced off against the 2nd–seeded, and 2-time defending NBA champion Chicago Bulls, who won the Central Division title, and were led by the trio of All-Star guard Michael Jordan, All-Star forward Scottie Pippen, and Horace Grant. The Cavaliers lost the first two games to the Bulls on the road at the Chicago Stadium, then lost their next two home games. In Game 4 at the Coliseum at Richfield, Jordan hit another game-winning buzzer-beater against the Cavaliers; the Bulls won the game, 103–101, as the Cavaliers lost the series in a four-game sweep. [22] [23] [24] The Bulls would go on to defeat the Phoenix Suns in six games in the 1993 NBA Finals, winning their third consecutive NBA championship. [25] [26] [27]

Following the season, Wilkens resigned and took a coaching job with the Atlanta Hawks, [28] [29] [30] while Ehlo signed as a free agent with the Hawks, [31] [32] [33] and Sanders retired. A forgotten highlight of the regular season was a game between the Cavaliers, and the Indiana Pacers at the Market Square Arena on January 15, 1993; after trailing to the Pacers at halftime, 64–49, the Cavaliers rallied and set a franchise record by scoring 83 points in the second half to win the game, 132–120. [34] [35] [36]

Until 2024, this was the last time the Cavaliers won a playoff series without future All-Star LeBron James, who was selected by the team as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft.

Draft picks

The Cavaliers did not have any draft picks in 1992.

Roster

1992–93 Cleveland Cavaliers roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.PlayerHeightWeightDOBFrom
SG 10 John Battle 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)175 lb (79 kg)1962–11–09 Rutgers
PG 11 Terrell Brandon 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)180 lb (82 kg)1970–05–20 Oregon
C 43 Brad Daugherty 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)245 lb (111 kg)1965–10–19 North Carolina
SG 3 Craig Ehlo 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)180 lb (82 kg)1961–08–11 Washington State
PF 35 Danny Ferry 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg)1966–10–17 Duke
C 54 Jay Guidinger 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)255 lb (116 kg)1969–08–18 Minnesota Duluth
SF 30 Jerome Lane 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)230 lb (104 kg)1966–12–04 Pittsburgh
SF 22 Larry Nance 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)205 lb (93 kg)1959–02–12 Clemson
SG 14 Bobby Phills 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)1969–12–20 Southern
PG 25 Mark Price 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg)1964–02–15 Georgia Tech
SF 33 Mike Sanders 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)210 lb (95 kg)1960–05–07 UCLA
SF 21 Gerald Wilkins 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)185 lb (84 kg)1963–09–11 Chattanooga
C 18 Hot Rod Williams 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)215 lb (98 kg)1962–08–09 Tulane
Head coach
Assistant(s)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured

Roster
Updated: December 2, 1992

Regular season

Season standings

W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y- Chicago Bulls 5725.69531–1026–1519–9
x- Cleveland Cavaliers 5428.659335–619–2222–6
x- Charlotte Hornets 4438.5371322–1922–1912–16
x- Atlanta Hawks 4339.5241425–1618–2312–16
x- Indiana Pacers 4141.5001627–1414–2711–17
Detroit Pistons 4042.4881728–1312–2912–16
Milwaukee Bucks 2854.3412918–2310–3110–18
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
#
Team W L PCT GB
1c-New York Knicks 6022.732
2y-Chicago Bulls 5725.6953
3x-Cleveland Cavaliers 5428.6596
4x-Boston Celtics 4834.58512
5x-Charlotte Hornets 4438.53716
6x-New Jersey Nets 4339.52417
7x-Atlanta Hawks 4339.52417
8x-Indiana Pacers 4141.50019
9 Orlando Magic 4141.50019
10 Detroit Pistons 4042.48820
11 Miami Heat 3646.43924
12 Milwaukee Bucks 2854.34132
13 Philadelphia 76ers 2656.31736
14 Washington Bullets 2260.26838
z – clinched division title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot

Game log

1992–93 game log
Total: 54–28 (home: 35–6; road: 19–22)
November: 6–6 (home: 4–2; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1November 6, 1992
8:00 p.m. EST
Chicago L 96–101 Nance (24) Daugherty (12) Price (8) Richfield Coliseum
20,273
0–1
2November 8, 1992 Charlotte W 127–107 Richfield Coliseum 1–1
3November 10, 1992 Washington
4November 12, 1992@ Golden State
5November 13, 1992@ Portland
6November 15, 1992@ Sacramento
7November 17, 1992@ San Antonio L 95–106 HemisFair Arena 3–4
8November 19, 1992@ Houston L 92–99 The Summit 3–5
9November 21, 1992@ Dallas
10November 24, 1992 Milwaukee
11November 25, 1992@ Milwaukee
12November 27, 1992
7:30 pm EST
Atlanta W 122–101 Price ,
Wilkins (20)
Nance (14) Price (7) Richfield Coliseum
20,273
6–6
13November 28, 1992@ Orlando
December: 11–5 (home: 8–3; road: 3–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
14December 1, 1992 Boston
15December 3, 1992 New York W 100–90 Richfield Coliseum 8–7
16December 5, 1992 Portland
17December 8, 1992 L.A. Clippers L 106–115 Richfield Coliseum 8–9
18December 9, 1992
8:30 p.m. EST
@ Chicago L 91–108 Ferry (16) Daugherty (8) Brandon,
Wilkins (4)
Chicago Stadium
18,142
8–10
19December 11, 1992@ Detroit
20December 12, 1992 Seattle W 97–93 Richfield Coliseum 10–10
21December 15, 1992 Houston W 124–97 Richfield Coliseum 11–10
22December 16, 1992@ Philadelphia
23December 18, 1992 Sacramento
24December 19, 1992 Utah W 121–104 Richfield Coliseum 14–10
25December 21, 1992@ Washington
26December 23, 1992 Indiana
27December 26, 1992 New Jersey L 114–119 Richfield Coliseum 15–12
28December 28, 1992 Detroit
29December 29, 1992
7:30 pm EST
@ Atlanta W 114–96 Daugherty
, Nance (22)
Daugherty (13) Price (7) The Omni
10,703
17–12
January: 8–6 (home: 6–1; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
30January 2, 1993 L.A. Lakers W 106–91 Richfield Coliseum 18–12
31January 5, 1993@ New York L 91–95 Madison Square Garden 18–13
32January 6, 1993
7:30 p.m. EST
Chicago W 117–95 Price (30) Daugherty (12) Price (13) Richfield Coliseum
20,273
19–13
33January 9, 1993 Minnesota
34January 12, 1993 Boston
35January 13, 1993@ New Jersey L 98–104 Brendan Byrne Arena 20–15
36January 15, 1993@ Indiana
37January 16, 1993
7:30 pm EST
Atlanta W 127–99 Nance (20) Nance (14) Brandon (9) Richfield Coliseum
20,273
22–15
38January 20, 1993
7:30 p.m. EST
Phoenix W 123–119 Price (26) Daugherty (17) Daugherty (7) Richfield Coliseum
20,273
23–15
39January 22, 1993@ L.A. Clippers W 100–92 Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 24–15
40January 23, 1993@ Denver
41January 26, 1993@ Utah L 96–113 Delta Center 24–17
42January 28, 1993 Orlando
43January 30, 1993@ Miami
February: 12–1 (home: 6–0; road: 6–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
44February 2, 1993 Golden State
45February 3, 1993@ Milwaukee
46February 5, 1993 Detroit
47February 6, 1993
7:30 pm EST
@ Atlanta W 120–109 Daugherty (28) Nance (11) Price (7) The Omni
15,381
29–18
48February 9, 1993@ Charlotte W 107–103 Charlotte Coliseum 30–18
49February 10, 1993@ Orlando
50February 12, 1993 Milwaukee
51February 13, 1993
8:30 p.m. EST
@ Chicago W 116–111 Daugherty (25) Daugherty (9) Price (10) Chicago Stadium
18,676
32–19
52February 15, 1993 Indiana
53February 17, 1993 Dallas
All-Star Break
54February 23, 1993 Miami
55February 26, 1993@ L.A. Lakers W 114–102 Great Western Forum 36–19
56February 28, 1993
3:30 p.m. EST
@ Phoenix W 101–94 Nance,
Price (21)
Nance (17) Price (11) America West Arena
19,023
37–19
March: 6–6 (home: 4–1; road: 2–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
57March 2, 1993@ Seattle L 105–108 Seattle Center Coliseum 37–20
58March 4, 1993@ Minnesota
59March 7, 1993@ Boston
60March 8, 1993 Denver
61March 11, 1993 Charlotte W 118–99 Richfield Coliseum 40–21
62March 15, 1993@ Washington
63March 16, 1993 Philadelphia
64March 18, 1993 New York L 95–115 Richfield Coliseum 41–23
65March 20, 1993@ Miami
66March 23, 1993 San Antonio L 95–115 Richfield Coliseum 42–24
67March 26, 1993@ Philadelphia
68March 28, 1993@ Detroit
April: 11–3 (home: 7–0; road: 4–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
69April 1, 1993@ New York L 83–91 Madison Square Garden 43–26
70April 2, 1993@ Charlotte L 113–114 Charlotte Coliseum 43–27
71April 4, 1993 New Jersey W 105–99 Richfield Coliseum 44–27
72April 6, 1993 Miami
73April 9, 1993 Washington
74April 10, 1993@ New Jersey W 100–99 Brendan Byrne Arena 47–27
75April 13, 1993
7:30 pm EDT
@ Atlanta W 112–109 (2 OT) Price (24) Daugherty (17) Daugherty ,
Price (7)
The Omni
9,450
48–27
76April 15, 1993@ Milwaukee
77April 16, 1993 Orlando
78April 18, 1993
5:30 p.m. EDT
Chicago W 103–94 Nance (19) Nance (12) Price (8) Richfield Coliseum
20,273
51–27
79April 20, 1993 Detroit
80April 21, 1993@ Indiana
81April 23, 1993@ Boston
82April 25, 1993 Philadelphia
1992–93 schedule

Playoffs

1993 playoff game log
Eastern Conference First Round: 3–2 (home: 2–1; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1April 29, 1993 New Jersey W 114–98 Ehlo (16) Daugherty (14) Price (7) Richfield Coliseum
18,339
1–0
2May 1, 1993 New Jersey L 99–101 Nance,
Price (17)
Nance (12) Price (11) Richfield Coliseum
20,273
1–1
3May 5, 1993@ New Jersey W 93–84 Nance (23) Nance (17) Price (4) Brendan Byrne Arena
16,453
2–1
4May 7, 1993@ New Jersey L 79–96 Daugherty (29) Daugherty,
Ferry,
Nance,
Williams (5)
Price (6) Brendan Byrne Arena
15,238
2–2
1May 9, 1993 New Jersey W 99–89 Daugherty (24) Daugherty (20) Daugherty (8) Richfield Coliseum
17,388
3–2
Eastern Conference Semifinals: 0–4 (home: 0–2; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 11, 1993
8:00 p.m. EDT
@ Chicago L 84–91 wilkins (19) Daugherty,
Nance (8)
Daugherty (6) Chicago Stadium
18,676
0–1
2May 13, 1993
8:00 p.m. EDT
@ Chicago L 85–104 Nance (16) Daugherty,
Nance (7)
Price (8) Chicago Stadium
18,676
0–2
3May 15, 1993
2:30 p.m. EDT
Chicago L 90–96 Nance (24) Daugherty (11) Daugherty,
Ehol,
Price (6)
Richfield Coliseum
20,273
0–3
4May 17, 1993
8:00 p.m. EDT
Chicago L 101–103 Daugherty (25) Daugherty (13) Price,
Wilkins (6)
Richfield Coliseum
20,274
0–4
1993 schedule

Player statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG  Points per game

Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Brad Daugherty 717137.957.150.079.510.24.40.70.820.2
Mark Price 757431.748.441.694.82.78.01.20.118.2
Larry Nance 777735.854.90.081.88.72.90.72.616.5
Craig Ehlo 827331.249.038.171.74.93.11.30.311.6
Gerald Wilkins 803526.045.327.684.02.72.31.00.211.1
Hot Rod Williams 671330.747.00.071.66.22.30.71.611.0
Terrell Brandon 82819.847.831.082.52.23.71.00.38.8
Mike Sanders 535122.449.725.075.63.21.40.70.68.6
Danny Ferry 76119.247.941.587.63.71.80.40.67.5
John Battle 41012.141.516.777.80.71.30.20.15.4
Bobby Phills 3104.546.340.060.00.50.30.30.13.0
Jerome Lane 2127.150.00.025.02.50.80.60.12.8
Steve Kerr 508.250.00.0100.01.42.20.40.02.4
Jay Guidinger 3256.734.50.052.02.00.50.30.31.6

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Brad Daugherty 9939.655.70.080.011.73.40.70.818.7
Larry Nance 9936.656.50.076.78.22.30.91.616.1
Mark Price 9932.044.330.895.82.16.11.70.013.0
Craig Ehlo 9932.141.838.580.03.42.81.30.410.9
Gerald Wilkins 9226.243.733.376.51.82.71.00.210.3
Hot Rod Williams 9026.340.00.075.04.61.90.61.69.0
Terrell Brandon 8016.543.540.0100.02.12.10.90.46.4
Mike Sanders 8718.141.70.060.02.31.31.00.15.8
Danny Ferry 8014.838.244.490.03.11.80.50.44.9
Bobby Phills 204.533.30.0100.00.00.00.00.02.0
Jay Guidinger 403.833.30.00.00.30.00.00.30.5
John Battle 106.00.00.00.01.01.00.00.00.0

Player statistics citation: [10]

Awards and records

References

  1. "1992-93 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats".
  2. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Gerald Wilkins Lands (Cheaply) in Cleveland". The New York Times. October 9, 1992. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  3. "Wilkins Signs with Cavaliers". Chicago Tribune. October 9, 1992. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  4. Brown, Clifton (October 21, 1992). "PRO BASKETBALL; Knicks Just a Memory to Cavaliers' Wilkins". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  5. "Cavs, Magic to Swap Guards". The Baltimore Sun. Orlando Sentinel. December 1, 1992. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  6. "Cavs Trade Kerr to Orlando". United Press International. December 3, 1992. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  7. "Magic Trades Draft Pick for Cavaliers Guard Kerr". Tampa Bay Times. December 4, 1992. Archived from the original on January 18, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  8. "NBA Games Played on February 18, 1993". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  9. "1992–93 Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  10. 1 2 "1992–93 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  11. "Manning Gets All-Star Berth: Pro Basketball: He Is Selected for the First Time. The Lakers and Celtics Are Shut Out for the First Time Since Game Began". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. February 10, 1993. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  12. 1 2 "1993 NBA All-Star Recap". NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  13. "1993 NBA All-Star Game: West 135, East 132 (OT)". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  14. Freeman, Mark (February 21, 1993). "PRO BASKETBALL; Youth Movement Gets Prime-Time Hang Time in Slam-Dunk Contest". The New York Times. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  15. "NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  16. "NBA MVP". The Baltimore Sun. May 26, 1993. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  17. 1 2 "1992–93 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  18. "Coach of Year: NBA Honors Riley as League's Finest". Deseret News. May 18, 1993. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  19. Freeman, Mike (May 10, 1993). "PRO BASKETBALL; The Nets Never Say Die, But They're Done". The New York Times. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  20. "NBA PLAYOFF ROUNDUP: Reserve Brandon Fuels Cavaliers to Victory". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 10, 1993. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  21. "1993 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Nets vs. Cavaliers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  22. Berkow, Ira (May 18, 1993). "PRO BASKETBALL; Bulls Win in 4, and Three Guesses Who Cut the Net". The New York Times. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  23. "Same Player, Same Place, Same Result: Bulls Win: NBA Playoffs: Chicago Eliminates the Cavaliers on Michael Jordan's Game-Winning Shot at the Buzzer (Again)". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. May 18, 1993. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  24. "1993 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals: Cavaliers vs. Bulls". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  25. Araton, Harvey (June 21, 1993). "ON PRO BASKETBALL; A Basket Gives Bulls Some Poetic Justice". The New York Times. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  26. "Paxson 3-Pointer Finishes Off Suns: Game 6: Shot Gives Bulls a One-Point Lead, and Then Grant Blocks Johnson's Shot to Seal Third Consecutive Title, 99-98". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 21, 1993. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  27. "1993 NBA Finals: Bulls vs. Suns". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  28. "PRO BASKETBALL; Wilkens Bids Cavaliers Adieu". The New York Times. May 25, 1993. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  29. "Wilkens Named Head Coach of Hawks". United Press International. June 1, 1993. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  30. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Wilkens Chosen to Coach Hawks". The New York Times. June 2, 1993. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  31. "Ehlo Signs with Hawks". United Press International. July 2, 1993. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  32. "Sports Briefly". Deseret News. July 3, 1993. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  33. "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Free-Agent Ehlo to Atlanta". The New York Times. July 4, 1993. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  34. "Cavaliers 132, Pacers 120". United Press International. January 15, 1993. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  35. "Jordan Helps Bulls Trash Golden St., 122-101". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. January 16, 1993. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  36. "Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers Box Score, January 15, 1993". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved September 25, 2022.