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The Top 35 Moments in Cleveland Cavaliers History

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Cavalier fans have seen the highs and the lows. And if you're talking about "The Shot", you've seen the highs and lows about 50 seconds apart. Cavalier fans have weathered the Stepien Era and we're now basking in the LeBron Era. The last three-and-a-half decades have been thrilling and heartbreaking. There have been memorable moments and ones we'd rather forget.

From the "Miracle of Richfield" to Lenny Wilkens' good guys that (almost) finished first in the late-80s and early-90s, and from Mike Fratello's scrappy overachievers to Paul Silas' squad that opens on Wednesday night, the Cavaliers franchise is stronger than ever.

Here at clevelandcavaliers.com, we assembled a panel of experts to pick the Top 35 Moments in franchise history. And check back later for your chance to vote on your Top 10. In the meantime, we've broken the Cavaliers history down into four decades of action.

Enjoy!

The Cavaliers were born 35 years ago, built from the ground up by Nick Mileti and Bill Fitch. When they got to the NBA any win was a miracle. By their sixth season, the wins were building up to the Miracle. The original Wine and Gold came into the league as a pushover and half a decade later had built a contender.
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TOP 35 MOMENTS IN CAVALIERS HISTORY
NBA awards the city of Cleveland and owner Nick Mileti and expansion team
February 6, 1970
A lot of things have been said about Nick Mileti, but the native Clevelander's commitment to his hometown is something that can never be called into question. At a time when the rumors of the Indians leaving town were swirling, Mileti calmed Clevelanders nerves by bringing the expansion Cavaliers to the North Coast. He tabbed Bill Fitch as the Wine and Gold's first head coach and GM.
First win in franchise history after 15 losses
November 12, 1970
Bill Fitch warned Cavalier fans not to expect much in the franchise's infancy. "Just remember, the name's Fitch, not Houdini!" The young club dropped their first fifteen games in the 1970-71 season -- including a 141-87 loss at Philadelphia -- before finally getting into the win column with a 105-103 victory over fellow expansionist, the Portland TrailBlazers.
Walt Wesley scores 50 points against Cincinnati -- still a club record
February 19, 1971
Only 3,896 fans were on hand at the old Cleveland Arena to witness the greatest scoring outburst in Cleveland Cavaliers history when Walt Wesley scored 50 points against the Cincinnati Royals. Wesley, who led the Cavaliers in scoring and rebounding in their first season, had 34 points at halftime and had 20 field goals for the game, both still Cavalier records.
Grand opening of the Richfield Coliseum
October 29, 1974
Then-Cavaliers owner, Nick Mileti, took a lot of heat for building the Coliseum in Richfield, Ohio. But the 19,500-seat arena was the home to a myriad of memorable moments, including the "Miracle" that would take place one season later. The Cavaliers welcomed the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics to the opener, but the C's spoiled the party with a 107-92 win.
Cavaliers clinch first playoff berth with a win at New Orleans
March 31, 1976
In the 75th game of their fifth season in the league, the Cavaliers final reached the postseason with a 110-101 road win against Pete Maravich and the New Orleans Jazz. The Wine and Gold had chased the Washington Bullets all year and rode a late-season hot streak -- including the clincher in the Big Easy -- to set up a playoff series between the two that would live forever in Cavaliers' lore.
Game Two at Washington -- Bingo hits 25-footer for first playoff win
April 15, 1976
After dropping the series opener, but the Cavaliers were ready for Game 2. The Bullets had the ball and a one-point lead with 28 seconds remaining, but the Cavaliers forced a turnover with six seconds to go. In the first of three "miracle" finishes, Bingo Smith, the only remaining original Cavalier, drilled a 25-footer in the closing seconds to give Cleveland an 80-79 win, their first ever in the postseason.
Game Five vs. Washington -- Cleamons rebound and hoop gives Cleveland 3-2 series lead
April 22, 1976
With the series tied, 2-2, the playoffs returned to the Coliseum, where 21,312 rabid fans watched another thriller. With seven seconds left and the Bullets up one, Elvin Hayes missed a pair of free throws. After a timeout, Bingo Smith tried to duplicate his Game 2 heroics, but the shot was short. Jim Cleamons grabbed the air-ball and in mid-air with his back to the basket, spun the ball over his head and through the hoop to give Cleveland a miraculous 92-91 win.
Game Seven vs. Washington -- Snyder hits shot with :04 seconds left, Cavaliers win series
April 29, 1976

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A record crowd of 21.564 filled the Coliseum an hour before tipoff and they saw four quarters of hardcore hoops. Washington's Phil Chenier tied the game at 85-85 with 24 seconds left. With nine seconds left, Jim Cleamons inbounded to Dick Snyder. Snyder raced past Wes Unseld to hit a five-foot runner high off the glass with four seconds remaining. Chenier fired a desperation shot from the corner, but time expired and "Miracle of Richfield" was complete.
Bill Fitch named Coach of the Year
May 19, 1976
Bill Fitch built the Cavaliers and led them to one of the most improbable seasons in the franchise's history. The Miracle came to a close on May 19, when JoJo White canned a pair of late hoops to drop Cleveland, 94-87. In the pre-game ceremonies, Fitch was named the NBA's Coach of the Year for the 1975-76 season. Fitch led the Cavaliers to a 49-33 regular season record as well as the first-round victory over the Bullets.

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