CLEVELAND – Cleveland Cavaliers Head Coach David Blatt has been named the NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for March, the NBA announced today. Blatt led the Cavaliers to an Eastern Conference-best 11-4 record during the month, joining George Karl (February 1985), Lenny Wilkens (April 1988, December 1988 & February 1993), Mike Fratello (December 1994 and December 1995) and Mike Brown (January 2008, December 2008, February 2009, March 2009 & December 2009) as coaches in Cavaliers history to receive the monthly accolade since the NBA began giving out the award in 1982-83.
During the month of March, the Cavs led the Eastern Conference in points per game (107.0), points per game differential (9.1), field goal percentage (.469), three-point field goal percentage (.399) and three-pointers made per game (12.3). Cleveland also set a franchise record for three-pointers made in a single month with 184, while also setting a team record with nine straight road games of at least 10 triples from March 1-25. The Cavs were a perfect 5-0 at home and were tied for the most road wins in the East at 6-4.
The month also saw the Cavs extend their winning streak at Quicken Loans Arena to 16 games (Jan. 19 – March 29), which is tied for the third-longest home streak in franchise history. Five players averaged double figures in scoring during the month as the Cavs won by double figures in seven of the 15 games, including four games by at least 20 points and two by 30 or more. Cleveland also clinched a playoff berth with their win over Indiana on March 20.
Since January 15, Cleveland owns the NBA’s best overall record (29-7), while also ranking first in three-pointers made per game (11.6), second in points per game differential (+10.4), third in field goal percentage (.470), third in points per game (107.2), fourth in three-point percentage (.381), fifth in opponent three-point percentage (.326) and seventh in opponent points per game (96.8) over that stretch. On the season, the Cavs lead the Central Division with a 48-27 mark.
Golden State Head Coach Steve Kerr earned the honor in the Western Conference.