# 2009–10 Cleveland Cavaliers season

The 2009–10 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 40th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Cavaliers finished with the best record in the NBA at 61–21, earning them first place in the East. The season saw LeBron James win the MVP Award for the second straight year. The Cavaliers had the fifth best team offensive rating in the NBA.
After defeating the Derrick Rose-led Chicago Bulls in the first round in five games, the Cavs faced the 4th-seeded Boston Celtics in the Semifinals in a rematch of the 2008 Conference semifinals where the Celtics won in seven games. The Cavaliers were favored to beat them, but lost in six games despite being up 2–1. The Celtics would advance to the NBA Finals and lose to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games. Following the season, Danny Ferry stepped down as general manager, head coach Mike Brown was fired, James signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat, Shaquille O'Neal signed as a free agent for his final season with the Boston Celtics, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas left to play his final season with the Heat.
After LeBron's departure, the Cavaliers struggled greatly without him for four seasons, and entered a state of rebuilding. The Cavaliers would not make the playoffs again until 2015, when LeBron returned to the Cavaliers, who drafted All-Star Kyrie Irving and traded for All-Star Kevin Love.
As of 2024, this was the last time that the Cavaliers have won 60 or more games. This was also the last time that LeBron lost in the playoffs before the Finals until 2021, when the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games in the first round, which was also the first time in James' career that he exited in the first round.

## Key dates

* June 25 – The 2009 NBA draft took place in New York City. The Cavs also acquire Shaquille O'Neal, in a trade with the Phoenix Suns.
* July 8 – The free agency period started.
* July 13 – The Cavs sign with Anthony Parker.
* July 19 – Jamario Moon signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
* August 12 – The Cavaliers sign with Leon Powe.
* October 6 – The Cavs open the Pre-Season, with a victory over the Charlotte Bobcats, in The Q.
* October 21 – The Cavs close the Pre-Season, losing to the Boston Celtics, in the Value City Arena.
* October 27 – The Cleveland Cavaliers open the Regular Season, and are defeated by the Boston Celtics, in Quicken Loans Arena.
* February 17 – The Cavs acquire Antawn Jamison and Sebastian Telfair, in a three-team trade, with the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers.
* March 17 – The Cavaliers clinched the Central Division title for the second straight year, and the third time in franchise history.
* March 23 – The Cavs waive Darnell Jackson and sign with Žydrūnas Ilgauskas.
* April 2 – The Cavaliers clinched best record in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year, and the second time in franchise history.
* April 4 – The Cavaliers clinched the best record in the league, and thus home court advantage throughout the playoffs for the second straight year, and the second time in franchise history.
* April 14 – The Cavs close the Regular Season, with a loss against the Atlanta Hawks and a 61–21 record.
* April 17 – The Cleveland Cavaliers open the First Round of the Playoffs, with a 96–83 victory, over the Chicago Bulls, in The Q.
* April 27 – The Cavaliers close the First Round Series at 4–1, with a 96–94 victory over the Bulls, in The Q.
* May 1 – The Cavs open the Eastern Conference semifinals, with a 101–93 victory, over the Celtics, in the Quicken Loans Arena.
* May 13- The Cavaliers lose in the Eastern Conference semifinals, at 4–2 to the underdog Boston Celtics.
* May 24 – Head Coach Mike Brown was fired.

## Draft picks

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College/Club Team |
| 1 | 30 | Christian Eyenga | G/F | DR Congo | CB Prat |
| 2 | 46 | Danny Green | G/F | United States | North Carolina |

## Pre-season

2009 pre-season game log :
October: 4–4 (home: 3–2; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1October 6Charlotte Bobcats87 – 92Quicken Loans Arena 20,4031-0 recap
2October 10@Charlotte Bobcats102 – 96North Charleston Coliseum 11,4892-0 recap
3October 12Olympiacos Piraeus (Greece)94 – 111Quicken Loans Arena 19,7913-0 recap
4October 14Washington Wizards109 – 104Quicken Loans Arena 19,6723-1 recap
5October 16@San Antonio Spurs98 – 105AT&T Center 17,1863-2 recap
6October 17@Dallas Mavericks82 – 93American Airlines Center 18,5253-3 recap
7October 20Dallas Mavericks66 – 96Petersen Events Center 10,0114-3 recap
8October 21Boston Celtics96 – 82Value City Arena 18,0214-4 recap :
2009–10 pre-season schedule :

## Regular season
### Standings

| Central Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| z-Cleveland Cavaliers | 61 | 21 | .744 | – | 35–6 | 26–15 | 12–4 |
| x-Milwaukee Bucks | 46 | 36 | .561 | 15 | 28–13 | 18–23 | 10–6 |
| x-Chicago Bulls | 41 | 41 | .500 | 20 | 24–17 | 17–24 | 10–6 |
| Indiana Pacers | 32 | 50 | .390 | 29 | 23–18 | 9–32 | 6–10 |
| Detroit Pistons | 27 | 55 | .329 | 34 | 17–24 | 10–31 | 2–14 |
| # | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | z-Cleveland Cavaliers | 61 | 21 | .744 | – |
| 2 | y-Orlando Magic | 59 | 23 | .720 | 2 |
| 3 | x-Atlanta Hawks | 53 | 29 | .646 | 8 |
| 4 | y-Boston Celtics | 50 | 32 | .610 | 11 |
| 5 | x-Miami Heat | 47 | 35 | .573 | 14 |
| 6 | x-Milwaukee Bucks | 46 | 36 | .561 | 15 |
| 7 | x-Charlotte Bobcats | 44 | 38 | .537 | 17 |
| 8 | x-Chicago Bulls | 41 | 41 | .500 | 20 |
| 9 | Toronto Raptors | 40 | 42 | .488 | 21 |
| 10 | Indiana Pacers | 32 | 50 | .390 | 29 |
| 11 | New York Knicks | 29 | 53 | .354 | 32 |
| 12 | Detroit Pistons | 27 | 55 | .329 | 34 |
| 13 | Philadelphia 76ers | 27 | 55 | .329 | 34 |
| 14 | Washington Wizards | 26 | 56 | .317 | 35 |
| 15 | New Jersey Nets | 12 | 70 | .146 | 49 |

### Record vs. opponents

2009-10 NBA Records :
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NOH | NYK | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | TOR | UTA | WAS |
| Atlanta | — | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Boston | 0–4 | — | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| Charlotte | 2–2 | 0–3 | — | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 |
| Chicago | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 2–1 |
| Cleveland | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 |
| Dallas | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 |
| Denver | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–2 | — | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| Detroit | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 4–0 |
| Golden State | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | – | 0–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 2–0 | 0–3 | 0–2 |
| Houston | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | — | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Indiana | 0–3 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | — | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
| L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | — | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| Memphis | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–2 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–0 |
| Miami | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| Milwaukee | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | — | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Minnesota | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| New Jersey | 0–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | — | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–4 |
| New Orleans | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| New York | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | — | 0–2 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
| Oklahoma City | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | – | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| Orlando | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | – | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Philadelphia | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–3 |
| Phoenix | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | – | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Portland | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | – | 4–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
| Sacramento | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | – | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 |
| San Antonio | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–3 | 4–0 | – | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 |
| Toronto | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 0–2 | 2–1 |
| Utah | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | — | 2–0 |
| Washington | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | — |

### Game log

2009–10 game log Total: 61–21 (home: 35–6; road: 26–15) :
October: 2–2 (home: 1–1; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 27
Boston
L 89–95
LeBron James (38)
Shaquille O'Neal (10)
LeBron James (8)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
0–1
2
October 28
@ Toronto
L 91–101
LeBron James (23)
LeBron James (11)
LeBron James (12)
Air Canada Centre 20,152
0–2
3
October 30
@ Minnesota
W 104–87
LeBron James (24)
Anderson Varejão (11)
LeBron James, Mo Williams (6)
Target Center 19,356
1–2
4
October 31
Charlotte
W 90–79
Mo Williams (24)
Anderson Varejão (8)
LeBron James (9)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
2–2 :
November
: 10–3 (home: 5–1; road: 5–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
5
November 3
Washington
W 102–90
LeBron James (27)
Anderson Varejão (10)
LeBron James, Mo Williams (6)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
3–2
6
November 5
Chicago
L 85–86
LeBron James (25)
Anderson Varejão (13)
LeBron James, Mo Williams (6)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
3–3
7
November 6
@ New York
W 100–91
LeBron James (33)
Anderson Varejão (14)
LeBron James (9)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
4–3
8
November 11
@ Orlando
W 102–93
LeBron James (36)
LeBron James (8)
Mo Williams (6)
Amway Arena 17,461
5–3
9
November 12
@ Miami
W 111–104
LeBron James (34)
Jamario Moon (6)
LeBron James (7)
American Airlines Arena 19,600
6–3
10
November 14
Utah
W 107–103
LeBron James, Mo Williams (21)
LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas (6)
LeBron James (9)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
7–3
11
November 17
Golden State
W 114–108
LeBron James (31)
J.J. Hickson (9)
LeBron James (12)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
8–3
12
November 18
@ Washington
L 91–108
LeBron James (34)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9)
LeBron James (8)
Verizon Center 20,173
8–4
13
November 20
@ Indiana
W 105–95
LeBron James (40)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
LeBron James (7)
Conseco Fieldhouse 18,165
9–4
14
November 21
Philadelphia
W 97–91
LeBron James (32)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (8)
LeBron James (9)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
10–4
15
November 25
@ Detroit
W 98–88
LeBron James (34)
LeBron James, Anderson Varejão (8)
Mo Williams (8)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
11–4
16
November 27
@ Charlotte
L 87–94
LeBron James (25)
Anderson Varejão (11)
Mo Williams (6)
Time Warner Cable Arena 19,168
11–5
17
November 28
Dallas
W 111–95
LeBron James, Mo Williams (25)
Jamario Moon, Anderson Varejão (9)
LeBron James (12)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
12–5 :
December
: 14–3 (home: 7–0; road: 7–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
18
December 2
Phoenix
W 107–90
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (14)
Shaquille O'Neal (9)
LeBron James (10)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
13–5
19
December 4
Chicago
W 101–87
LeBron James (23)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Shaquille O'Neal (7)
LeBron James (11)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
14–5
20
December 6
@ Milwaukee
W 101–86
Delonte West (21)
Anderson Varejão (12)
LeBron James (10)
Bradley Center 16,625
15–5
21
December 8
@ Memphis
L 109–111 (OT)
LeBron James (43)
LeBron James (13)
Mo Williams (8)
FedEx Forum 16,325
15–6
22
December 9
@ Houston
L 85–95
LeBron James (27)
Shaquille O'Neal, J. J. Hickson (10)
LeBron James (7)
Toyota Center 18,200
15–7
23
December 11
Portland
W 104–99
LeBron James (33)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
Mo Williams (10)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
16–7
24
December 13
@ Oklahoma City
W 102–89
LeBron James (44)
Anderson Varejão (10)
LeBron James (6)
Ford Center 18,203
17–7
25
December 15
New Jersey
W 99–89
LeBron James (23)
Mo Williams, Jamario Moon (8)
LeBron James (7)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
18–7
26
December 16
@ Philadelphia
W 108–101
LeBron James (36)
Shaquille O'Neal (9)
LeBron James (7)
Wachovia Center 19,517
19–7
27
December 18
Milwaukee
W 85–82
LeBron James (26)
LeBron James (10)
LeBron James (8)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
20–7
28
December 20
@ Dallas
L 95–102
LeBron James (25)
Anderson Varejão, Shaquille O'Neal (8)
LeBron James (6)
American Airlines Center 20,346
20–8
29
December 21
@ Phoenix
W 109–91
LeBron James (29)
Mo Williams, LeBron James, J.J. Hickson (6)
Delonte West (6)
US Airways Center 18,221
21–8
30
December 23
@ Sacramento
W 117–104 (OT)
LeBron James (34)
LeBron James (16)
LeBron James (10)
ARCO Arena 16,407
22–8
31
December 25
@ L.A. Lakers
W 102–87
Mo Williams (28)
Anderson Varejão, Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9)
LeBron James (9)
Staples Center 18,997
23–8
32
December 27
Houston
W 108–83
LeBron James (29)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
LeBron James (6)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
24–8
33
December 29
@ Atlanta
W 95–84
Mo Williams (20)
LeBron James, Anderson Varejão, Shaquille O'Neal (8)
LeBron James (10)
Philips Arena 20,150
25–8
34
December 30
Atlanta
W 106–101
LeBron James (48)
LeBron James (10)
Mo Williams (10)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
26–8 :
January
: 12–3 (home: 6–1; road: 6–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
35
January 2
@ New Jersey
W 94–86
LeBron James (28)
Anderson Varejão (12)
LeBron James (7)
Izod Center 17,569
27–8
36
January 3
Charlotte
L 88–91
LeBron James (29)
LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal (7)
LeBron James, Mo Williams (6)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
27–9
37
January 6
Washington
W 121–98
LeBron James (23)
Anderson Varejão, Zydrunas Ilgauskas (8)
LeBron James (8)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
28–9
38
January 8
@ Denver
L 97–99
LeBron James (35)
Anderson Varejão (15)
LeBron James (7)
Pepsi Center 19,996
28–10
39
January 10
@ Portland
W 106–94
LeBron James (41)
Shaquille O'Neal (11)
LeBron James (8)
Rose Garden Arena 20,614
29–10
40
January 11
@ Golden State
W 117–114
LeBron James (37)
Anderson Varejão, Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9)
LeBron James (11)
Oracle Arena 19,596
30–10
41
January 14
@ Utah
L 96–97
LeBron James (36)
LeBron James, Anderson Varejão (9)
LeBron James (6)
EnergySolutions Arena 19,911
30–11
42
January 16
@ L.A. Clippers
W 102–101
LeBron James (32)
Anderson Varejão (9)
Mo Williams (6)
Staples Center 19,277
31–11
43
January 19
Toronto
W 108–100
LeBron James (28)
LeBron James (9)
LeBron James (11)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
32–11
44
January 21
L.A. Lakers
W 93–87
LeBron James (37)
J.J. Hickson (14)
LeBron James (9)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
33–11
45
January 23
Oklahoma City
W 100–99
LeBron James (37)
LeBron James, J.J. Hickson (9)
LeBron James (12)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
34–11
46
January 25
@ Miami
W 92–91
LeBron James (32)
Anderson Varejão (10)
LeBron James (4)
AmericanAirlines Arena 19,600
35–11
47
January 27
Minnesota
W 109–95
J.J. Hickson (23)
Anderson Varejão (10)
LeBron James (11)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
36–11
48
January 29
@ Indiana
W 92–91
LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal (22)
LeBron James, Anderson Varejão (9)
LeBron James (13)
Conseco Fieldhouse 18,165
37–11
49
January 31
L.A. Clippers
W 114–89
LeBron James (32)
Shaquille O'Neal (12)
LeBron James (11)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
38–11 :
February
: 8–3 (home: 6–1; road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
50
February 2
Memphis
W 105–89
LeBron James (22)
Shaquille O'Neal (13)
LeBron James (15)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
39–11
51
February 4
Miami
W 102–86
LeBron James (36)
Shaquille O'Neal (8)
LeBron James (8)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
40–11
52
February 6
New York
W 113–106
LeBron James (47)
LeBron James (8)
LeBron James (8)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
41–11
53
February 9
New Jersey
W 104–97
LeBron James (32)
Anderson Varejão (9)
LeBron James (11)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
42–11
54
February 11
Orlando
W 115–106
LeBron James (32)
LeBron James (8)
LeBron James (13)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
43–11
All-Star Break
55
February 18
Denver
L 116–118
LeBron James (43)
LeBron James (13)
LeBron James (15)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
43–12
56
February 19
@ Charlotte
L 93–110
LeBron James (22)
J.J. Hickson, Shaquille O'Neal, Antawn Jamison (7)
LeBron James (9)
Time Warner Cable Arena 19,568
43–13
57
February 21
@ Orlando
L 95–101
LeBron James (33)
LeBron James (9)
LeBron James (6)
Amway Arena 17,461
43–14
58
February 23
New Orleans
W 105–95
LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal (20)
LeBron James (13)
Shaquille O'Neal, Anderson Varejão (7)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
44–14
59
February 25
@ Boston
W 108–88
LeBron James (36)
Anderson Varejão (10)
LeBron James (9)
TD Garden 18,624
45–14
60
February 26
@ Toronto
W 126–118 (OT)
LeBron James (36)
Antawn Jamison (11)
LeBron James (9)
Air Canada Centre 20,107
46–14 :
March
: 13–2 (home: 8–0; road: 5–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
61
March 1
New York
W 124–93
LeBron James (22)
Antawn Jamison (12)
Mo Williams (10)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
47–14
62
March 3
@ New Jersey
W 111–92
LeBron James (26)
J. J. Hickson (13)
LeBron James (14)
Izod Center 17,502
48–14
63
March 5
Detroit
W 99–92
LeBron James (40)
LeBron James (13)
Delonte West (7)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
49–14
64
March 6
@ Milwaukee
L 85–92
Antawn Jamison (30)
Antawn Jamison (11)
Delonte West (6)
Bradley Center 18,717
49–15
65
March 8
San Antonio
W 97–95
Antawn Jamison, Mo Williams (17)
Anderson Varejão (9)
Mo Williams (8)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
50–15
66
March 12
@ Philadelphia
W 100–95
LeBron James (23)
Anderson Varejão (12)
LeBron James (10)
Wachovia Center 20,433
51–15
67
March 14
Boston
W 104–93
LeBron James (30)
Antawn Jamison (12)
LeBron James (7)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
52–15
68
March 16
@ Detroit
W 113–101
LeBron James (29)
LeBron James (12)
LeBron James (12)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
53–15
69
March 17
Indiana
W 99–94
LeBron James (32)
LeBron James, Antawn Jamison (9)
LeBron James (9)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
54–15
70
March 19
@ Chicago
W 92–85
LeBron James (29)
LeBron James (11)
LeBron James (7)
United Center 23,129
55–15
71
March 21
Detroit
W 104–79
Leon Powe (16)
Anderson Varejão (9)
Mo Williams (8)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
56–15
72
March 24
@ New Orleans
W 105–92
LeBron James (38)
Antawn Jamison (11)
LeBron James (9)
New Orleans Arena 18,008
57–15
73
March 26
@ San Antonio
L 97–102
LeBron James (27)
Antawn Jamison (9)
LeBron James (10)
AT&T Center 18,581
57–16
74
March 28
Sacramento
W 97–90
LeBron James (34)
Antawn Jamison (9)
LeBron James (8)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
58–16
75
March 31
Milwaukee
W 101–98
LeBron James (23)
Antawn Jamison (12)
LeBron James (7)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
59–16 :
April
: 2–5 (home: 2–2; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
76
April 2
Atlanta
W 93–88
LeBron James (27)
J. J. Hickson (16)
LeBron James (6)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
60–16
77
April 4
@ Boston
L 113–117
LeBron James (42)
J. J. Hickson (11)
LeBron James (9)
TD Garden 18,624
60–17
78
April 6
Toronto
W 113–101
Antawn Jamison (20)
Anthony Parker (8)
LeBron James (13)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
61–17
79
April 8
@ Chicago
L 108–109
Mo Williams (35)
Antawn Jamison, Anthony Parker (6)
Mo Williams (10)
United Center 21,707
61–18
80
April 9
Indiana
L 113–116
J. J. Hickson, Sebastian Telfair (21)
J. J. Hickson (10)
Delonte West (12)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
61–19
81
April 11
Orlando
L 92–98
Delonte West (21)
Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (12)
Mo Williams (9)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
61–20
82
April 14
@ Atlanta
L 83–99
Jamario Moon (15)
Jamario Moon (7)
Sebastian Telfair (5)
Philips Arena 19,069
61–21 :
2009–10 season schedule :

## Playoffs

2010 playoff game log :
First Round: 4–1 (home: 3–0; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
April 17
Chicago
W 96–83
LeBron James (24)
Anderson Varejão (15)
Mo Williams (10)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
1–0
2
April 19
Chicago
W 112–102
LeBron James (40)
LeBron James (8)
LeBron James (8)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
2–0
3
April 22
@ Chicago
L 106–108
LeBron James (39)
Antawn Jamison (11)
LeBron James (8)
United Center 22,991
2–1
4
April 25
@ Chicago
W 121–98
LeBron James (37)
LeBron James (12)
LeBron James (11)
United Center 22,991
3–1
5
April 27
Chicago
W 96–94
Antawn Jamison (25)
LeBron James (10)
LeBron James (9)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
4–1 :
Conference Semifinals: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
May 1
Boston
W 101–93
LeBron James (35)
Antawn Jamison (9)
LeBron James (7)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
1–0
2
May 3
Boston
L 86–104
LeBron James (24)
James, Varejão (7)
Mo Williams (7)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
1–1
3
May 7
@ Boston
W 124–95
LeBron James (38)
Antawn Jamison (12)
James, Williams (7)
TD Garden 18,624
2–1
4
May 9
@ Boston
L 87–97
LeBron James (22)
LeBron James (9)
LeBron James (8)
TD Garden 18,624
2–2
5
May 11
Boston
L 88–120
Shaquille O'Neal (21)
Anderson Varejão (8)
LeBron James (7)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
2–3
6
May 13
@ Boston
L 85–94
LeBron James (27)
LeBron James (19)
LeBron James (10)
TD Garden 18,624
2–4 :
2010 schedule :

## Player statistics
### Regular season

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Daniel Gibson | 56 | 10 | 19.1 | .466 | .477 | .694 | 1.3 | 1.3 | .4 | .1 | 6.3 |
| Danny Green | 20 | 0 | 5.8 | .385 | .273 | .667 | .9 | .3 | .3 | .2 | 2.0 |
| J. J. Hickson | 81 | 73 | 20.9 | .554 | .000 | .681 | 4.9 | .5 | .4 | .5 | 8.5 |
| Žydrūnas Ilgauskas | 64 | 6 | 20.9 | .443 | .478 | .743 | 5.4 | .8 | .2 | .8 | 7.4 |
| LeBron James | 76 | 76 | 39.0 | .503 | .333 | .767 | 7.3 | 8.6 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 29.7 |
| Cedric Jackson$^1$ | 5 | 0 | 2.0 | .000 | .000 | .250 | .2 | .4 | .0 | .0 | .2 |
| Darnell Jackson | 27 | 0 | 4.2 | .320 | .333 | .667 | .7 | .1 | .1 | .1 | .8 |
| Antawn Jamison$^1$ | 25 | 23 | 32.4 | .485 | .342 | .506 | 7.7 | 1.3 | 1.1 | .5 | 15.8 |
| Coby Karl | 3 | 0 | 1.7 | . | . | . | .7 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| Jamario Moon | 61 | 2 | 17.2 | .462 | .320 | .800 | 3.1 | .5 | .3 | .2 | 4.9 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 53 | 53 | 23.4 | .566 | .000 | .496 | 6.7 | 1.5 | .3 | 1.2 | 12.0 |
| Anthony Parker | 81 | 81 | 27.5 | .434 | .414 | .789 | 2.9 | 1.9 | 0.8 | .2 | 7.3 |
| Leon Powe | 20 | 2 | 11.8 | .429 | .000 | .587 | 3.0 | .0 | .3 | .1 | 4.0 |
| Sebastian Telfair$^1$ | 4 | 0 | 19.3 | .457 | .222 | .833 | 1.0 | 3.0 | .5 | .0 | 9.8 |
| Anderson Varejão | 76 | 7 | 28.5 | .572 | .200 | .663 | 7.6 | 1.1 | .9 | .9 | 8.6 |
| Delonte West | 60 | 3 | 25.0 | .445 | .325 | .810 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 0.9 | .5 | 8.8 |
| Jawad Williams | 54 | 6 | 13.7 | .393 | .323 | .711 | 1.5 | .6 | .2 | .1 | 4.1 |
| Mo Williams | 69 | 68 | 34.2 | .442 | .429 | .894 | 3.0 | 5.3 | 1.0 | .3 | 15.8 |
Stats with the Cavaliers $^1$Did not start or finish the season with the Cavs.

### Playoffs

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Daniel Gibson | 5 | 0 | 4.6 | .286 | .250 | 1.000 | .6 | .2 | .0 | .0 | 1.4 |
| J. J. Hickson | 11 | 0 | 7.2 | .626 | .000 | .688 | .8 | .1 | .0 | .0 | 3.5 |
| Žydrūnas Ilgauskas | 6 | 0 | 9.0 | .364 | .000 | .667 | 1.8 | .3 | .0 | 1.0 | 1.7 |
| LeBron James | 11 | 11 | 41.8 | .502 | .400 | .733 | 9.3 | 7.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 29.1 |
| Antawn Jamison | 11 | 11 | 34.1 | .467 | .256 | .732 | 7.4 | 1.3 | .6 | 1.0 | 15.3 |
| Jamario Moon | 11 | 0 | 10.3 | .583 | .500 | .667 | 1.5 | .5 | .4 | .4 | 3.5 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 11 | 11 | 22.1 | .516 | .000 | .660 | 5.5 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 11.5 |
| Anthony Parker | 11 | 11 | 30.1 | .436 | .455 | .733 | 2.4 | 1.3 | .8 | .3 | 8.3 |
| Leon Powe | 3 | 0 | 3.0 | .250 | .000 | .750 | .7 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.7 |
| Sebastian Telfair | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 0 |
| Anderson Varejão | 11 | 0 | 23.2 | .417 | .000 | .742 | 6.5 | .6 | 1.0 | .8 | 5.7 |
| Delonte West | 11 | 0 | 24.5 | .418 | .158 | .938 | 1.9 | 2.6 | .8 | .9 | 6.7 |
| Mo Williams | 11 | 11 | 37.4 | .409 | .327 | .804 | 3.1 | 5.4 | .6 | .2 | 14.4 |

## Awards, Records and Milestones
### Awards

* LeBron James – NBA Most Valuable Player (2x)
* LeBron James – All-NBA First Team (4x)
* LeBron James – NBA All-Defensive First Team (2x)
* Anderson Varejão – NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1x)

#### Week/Month

* LeBron James – Player of the Week (6x)
* LeBron James – Player of the Month (4x)
* Mike Brown – Coach of the Month (December)

#### All-Star

* LeBron James – NBA All-Star Game Selection (6x)

### Records

* December 2, 2009: Zydrunas Ilgauskas set the record for most games played as a Cavalier with 771 and moved into third place on the Cavaliers' all-time scoring list behind LeBron James and Brad Daugherty.
* On March 19, 2010, LeBron James set a record as the youngest player in NBA history to record 15,000 career points.
* At the end of the season, LeBron James was the all-time scoring leader of the Cavs, with 15,251 points.

### Team Records

* On May 11, the Cavaliers suffered their worst playoffs defeat, against the Boston Celtics, by a margin of 32 points, 88–120.
* On December 23, the Cavaliers set a franchise record and tied with the NBA record of fewest points allowed in an OT period, against Sacramento Kings.

### Milestones

* Daniel Gibson reached 200 career games and 5,000 minutes.*
* Danny Green played his first season in the NBA.*
* J.J. Hickson reached 100 career games and 2,000 minutes.*
* Zydrunas Ilgauskas reached 21,000 minutes and 4,000 field goals made.*
* LeBron James reached 15,000 career points, 500 career games, 22,000 minutes, 5,000 field goals made, 11,000 field goals attempted, 2,000 three-point shots attempted, 3,000 defensives rebounds, 1,000 fouls and 2,000 Playoffs points.*
* Cedric Jackson played his first season in the NBA.*
* Antawn Jamison reached 17,000 career points and 31,000 minutes.
* Jamario Moon reached 200 career games, 5,000 minutes and 1,000 rebounds.
* Shaquille O'Neal reached 41,000 minutes, 11,000 field goals made, 19,000 field goals attempted, 11,000 free-throws attempted, 3,000 assists and 4,000 fouls.
* Anthony Parker reached 300 career games, 10,000 minutes, 1,000 three-point shots attempted, 1,000 defensives rebounds, 1,000 rebounds and 3,000 career points.
* Leon Powe reached 200 career games.
* Anderson Varejão reached 9,000 minutes, 1,000 field goals made, 2,000 field goals attempted, 1,000 free throws attempted and 1,000 fouls.*
* Delonte West reached 10,000 minutes, 3,000 field goals attempted and 1,000 rebounds.
* Mo Williams reached 14,000 minutes, 5,000 field goals attempted, 1,000 free-throws attempted, 2,000 assists, 1,000 turnovers and 6,000 points.
*Spent the entire NBA Career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, until reach these Milestones.

### Team Milestones

* On December 30, the Cavs reached 3,200 regular seasons games, against the Atlanta Hawks.
* On February 4, the Cavs reached 1,500 regular seasons victories against the Miami Heat.
* On April 14, the Cavs reached 1,800 combined regular and post-seasons defeats, against the Atlanta Hawks
* On May 7, the Cavs reached 70 post-season wins, against the Boston Celtics.
* The Cavaliers reached 30 playoff series, against the Boston Celtics.

## Injuries, Surgeries, and Absences

* Leon Powe – Knee surgery (before arriving Cleveland)
* Jamario Moon – Abdominal (Side) Injury
* Mo Williams – Left Shoulder Injury
* Anderson Varejão – Left Hamstring Injury
* Shaquille O'Neal – Right Thumb Surgery
* LeBron James – Right Elbow Injury

## Transactions
### Free agents

Additions
Date
Player
Signed
Former Team
July 13, 2009
Anthony Parker
Free agent
Toronto Raptors
July 17, 2009
Jamario Moon
Free agent
Miami Heat
August 12, 2009
Leon Powe
Free agent
Boston Celtics
October 22, 2009
Coby Karl
Free agent
Joventut Badalona
Subtractions
Date
Player
Reason Left
New Team
August 25, 2009
Tarence Kinsey
Free agent
Fenerbahçe Ülker
March 23, 2010
Darnell Jackson
Waived
Milwaukee Bucks :

### Trades

| June 25, 2009 | To Cleveland Cavaliers---- Shaquille O'Neal | To Phoenix Suns---- Aleksandar Pavlović Ben Wallace $500,000 2010 Second-Round Draft Pick |
| February 17, 2010 | To Cleveland Cavaliers---- Antawn Jamison | To Washington Wizards---- Zydrunas Ilgauskas Emir Preldžič 2010 First-Round Draft Pick |
| February 17, 2010 | To Cleveland Cavaliers---- Sebastian Telfair | To Los Angeles Clippers---- |
On February 17, the Cavaliers completed a three-team trade with the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers, acquiring Antawn Jamison from Washington and Sebastian Telfair from L.A. The Cavs sent Zydrunas Ilgauskas to the Wizards, plus a first round draft pick in 2010 and the rights to Emir Preldžić.
On March 23, the Cavaliers re-signed Ilgauskas for the remainder of the season after his contract was bought out by the Wizards. The Cavaliers also waived Darnell Jackson to make room on the roster.