1987–88 Cleveland Cavaliers season

The 1987-88 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 18th season of NBA basketball in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers acquired Larry Nance from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for top draft pick Kevin Johnson in a midseason trade, and finished 4th in the Central Division with a 42–40 record. Second-year star Brad Daugherty was selected for the 1988 NBA All-Star Game. Second-year guard Ron Harper played just 57 games due to injury. In the first round of the playoffs, the Cavaliers lost in five games to the Chicago Bulls.

Key Dates:

Draft picks

 * 2nd round pick (#29) traded to Portland in Linton Townes deal. Used to draft Lester Fonville.


 * 2nd round pick acquired from Milwaukee in Paul Thompson deal.


 * 5th round pick acquired from Indiana in Ron Anderson deal.

Season standings
Notes
 * z, y – division champions
 * x – clinched playoff spot

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * November 7, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 105–113
 * Harper (20)
 * Corbin (10)
 * Price (6)
 * The Omni 11,455
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * November 11, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Milwaukee
 * L 101–107
 * Daugherty (24)
 * Daugherty (13)
 * Daugherty, Price (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 12,145
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * November 13, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Boston
 * L 114–128
 * Curry (25)
 * Hubbard (9)
 * Price (9)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 1–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * November 14, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Detroit
 * L 113–128
 * Daugherty (22)
 * West (6)
 * Price (10)
 * Richfield Coliseum 10,157
 * 1–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 6
 * November 17, 1987 8:00p.m. EST
 * Boston
 * W 109–88
 * Hubbard (17)
 * Curry, Daugherty, West (8)
 * Price (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 14,621
 * 2–4


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 14
 * December 5, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * L.A. Lakers
 * W 97–95
 * Hubbard (19)
 * Daugherty (9)
 * Price (8)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,015
 * 6–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 18
 * December 13, 1987 10:30p.m. EST
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 89–90
 * Daugherty
 * Corbin, Daugherty, Williams (7)
 * Ehlo (7)
 * The Forum 17,505
 * 7–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 19
 * December 15, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Dallas
 * W 106–93
 * Daugherty (21)
 * Ehlo (14)
 * Johnson (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 6,852
 * 8–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 20
 * December 17, 1987 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Chicago
 * L 100–111
 * Daugherty (2)
 * Daugherty, Johnson, Williams (6)
 * Johnson (8)
 * Chicago Stadium 17,650
 * 8–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * December 22, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Washington
 * W 106–102
 * Price (22)
 * Ehlo (10)
 * Price (7)
 * Capital Centre 4,464
 * 11–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 23, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Utah
 * L 83–91
 * Price (26)
 * Williams (10)
 * Daugherty (9)
 * Richfield Coliseum 9,202
 * 11–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 27
 * December 30, 1987 7:30p.m. EST
 * Atlanta
 * L 110–117
 * Curry (25)
 * Daugherty (9)
 * Daugherty, Price (7)
 * Richfield Coliseum 19,029
 * 12–15


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * January 4, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Denver
 * W 122–101
 * Daugherty (25)
 * West, Williams (9)
 * Harper (9)
 * Richfield Coliseum 6,448
 * 14–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 31
 * January 8, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 97–101
 * Hubbard (17)
 * Daugherty (13)
 * Daugherty, Price (4)
 * The Omni 11,408
 * 23–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 34
 * January 14, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * W 91–88 (OT)
 * Daugherty, Harper (16)
 * Ehlo (8)
 * Price (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 16,648
 * 17–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 35
 * January 15, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Detroit
 * L 93–97
 * Daugherty (20)
 * Daugherty (10)
 * Johnson (7)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 19,622
 * 17–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 36
 * January 17, 1988 2:30p.m. EST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 93–111
 * Daugherty (19)
 * Daugherty (8)
 * Harper (6)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 17–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 37
 * January 21, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Atlanta
 * L 93–101
 * Daugherty (25)
 * Williams (12)
 * Curry, Daugherty (4)
 * Richfield Coliseum 10,129
 * 17–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 38
 * January 23, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Boston
 * W 119–100
 * Curry (23)
 * Williams (9)
 * Harper, Johnson (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,900
 * 18–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 39
 * January 25, 1988 9:30p.m. EST
 * @ Utah
 * L 96–119
 * Daugherty, Price, West (14)
 * Daugherty, West (8)
 * Johnson (8)
 * Salt Palace 12,212
 * 18–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * January 30, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Washington
 * W 128–126 (OT)
 * Daugherty (29)
 * Williams (14)
 * Harper, Price (9)
 * Richfield Coliseum 18,749
 * 21–21


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * February 1, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Detroit
 * W 94–83
 * Harper (23)
 * Williams (15)
 * Price (10)
 * Richfield Coliseum 10,636
 * 22–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * February 3, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Washington
 * W 107–106
 * Williams (23)
 * Daugherty (10)
 * Daugherty (11)
 * Capital Centre 6,806
 * 23–21
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46
 * February 9, 1988 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 104–112
 * Daugherty (19)
 * Daugherty (10)
 * Harper (10)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 23–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 47
 * February 10, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Washington
 * W 118–102
 * Williams (23)
 * Daugherty (13)
 * Daugherty (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 9,179
 * 24–23
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 52
 * February 21, 1988 1:00p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * W 113–111
 * Daugherty (29)
 * Daugherty (8)
 * Price (11)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,089
 * 28–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 54
 * February 24, 1988 8:30p.m. EST
 * @ Dallas
 * L 89–93
 * West (16)
 * West (11)
 * Harper (6)
 * Reunion Arena 17,007
 * 28–26


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 58
 * March 2, 1988 9:30p.m. EST
 * @ Denver
 * L 81–99
 * Daugherty, Nance (15)
 * Williams (10)
 * Harper (8)
 * McNichols Sports Arena 9,178
 * 28–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 59
 * March 6, 1988 1:00p.m. EST
 * @ Boston
 * L 98–127
 * Harper (25)
 * Williams (8)
 * Daugherty, Ehlo, Price (4)
 * Boston Garden 14,890
 * 28–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 60
 * March 9, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Milwaukee
 * W 117–91
 * Harper (23)
 * Nance, Williams (9)
 * Price (8)
 * Richfield Coliseum 11,641
 * 29–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 62
 * March 12, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Detroit
 * L 100–104
 * Daugherty (24)
 * Daugherty, Williams (9)
 * Daugherty (10)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 33,854
 * 30–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 64
 * March 15, 1988 8:00p.m. EST
 * @ Chicago
 * L 89–108
 * Harper (20)
 * Nacne (9)
 * Harper (9)
 * Chicago Stadium 17,752
 * 30–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 65
 * March 17, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Detroit
 * L 99–102
 * Daugherty (21)
 * Daugherty (8)
 * Price (7)
 * Richfield Coliseum 13,261
 * 30–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 66
 * March 19, 1988 9:00p.m. EST
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 100–101
 * Price (24)
 * Daugherty (10)
 * Price (7)
 * MECCA Arena 11,052
 * 30–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68
 * March 25, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * Chicago
 * L 110–111 (OT)
 * Nance (29)
 * Nance (11)
 * Curry (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 19,876
 * 31–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 69
 * March 26, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 102–109
 * Daugherty (25)
 * Nance (8)
 * Harper (8)
 * The Omni 16,418
 * 31–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * March 30, 1988 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Washington
 * W 107–96
 * Nance (22)
 * Daugherty (14)
 * Harper, Price (6)
 * Capital Centre 8,387
 * 33–38


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 74
 * April 6, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * Washington
 * W 98–87
 * Price (20)
 * Nance (9)
 * Harper (7)
 * Richfield Coliseum 10,165
 * 35–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 75
 * April 8, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * Milwaukee
 * W 104–85
 * Daugherty (22)
 * Daugherty, Harper (8)
 * Harper (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 16,475
 * 36–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 77
 * April 12, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * Atlanta
 * W 116–103
 * Harper (25)
 * Daugherty (7)
 * Price (14)
 * Richfield Coliseum 12,418
 * 38–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 78
 * April 13, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Detroit
 * L 98–115
 * Nance (20)
 * Nance (12)
 * Ehlo (4)
 * Pontiac Silverdome 18,808
 * 38–40
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79
 * April 15, 1988 7:30p.m. EDT
 * Boston
 * W 120–109
 * Daugherty (44)
 * Daugherty (9)
 * Harper (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,149
 * 39–40
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 81
 * April 22, 1988 8:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Chicago
 * W 107–103
 * Price (26)
 * Daugherty (10)
 * Price (11)
 * Chicago Stadium 17,726
 * 41–40

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 1
 * April 28, 1988 8:00p.m. EDT
 * @ Chicago
 * L 93–104
 * Ehlo (21)
 * Nance (8)
 * Price (12)
 * Chicago Stadium 18,676
 * 0–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * May 1, 1988 3:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Chicago
 * L 101–106
 * Nance (27)
 * Daugherty (13)
 * Nance (8)
 * Chicago Stadium 18,645
 * 0–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 3
 * May 3, 1988 8:00p.m. EDT
 * Chicago
 * W 110–102
 * Price (31)
 * Daugherty (10)
 * Price (6)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,068
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * May 5, 1988 8:00p.m. EDT
 * Chicago
 * W 97–91
 * Harper (30)
 * Daugherty (9)
 * Price (7)
 * Richfield Coliseum 20,026
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * May 8, 1988 1:00p.m. EDT
 * @ Chicago
 * L 101–107
 * Price (25)
 * Daugherty (10)
 * Price (7)
 * Chicago Stadium 18,008
 * 2–3

Playoffs
Player Statistics Citation: