# 2003–04 Cleveland Cavaliers season

The 2003–04 NBA season was the 34th season of the National Basketball Association in Cleveland, Ohio. In the years following their 1998 first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Cavaliers dropped to the bottom of the league and became a perennial entrant in the annual NBA draft lottery. The franchise's freefall bottomed out during the 2002–03 season, as the Cavs fell to a 17–65 record, tied with the Denver Nuggets for the league's worst.
However, the fortunes of the franchise shifted dramatically in May 2003, when the Cavs won the first overall pick in the draft lottery. The Cavaliers selected high school phenom LeBron James from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in nearby Akron, providing the team with a centerpiece player around which to build.
The Cavaliers revised their look for the 2003–04 season, introducing a new logo and a variation on the wine and gold color scheme used by the club during the 1970s. Dark blue was also added as a trim color. Both the logo and uniforms lasted until 2010 during James' first stint in Cleveland before leaving the team to join the Miami Heat. He had controversially announced his departure from Cleveland in a nationally televised special on July 8, 2010.
The team made major moves during the season, trading Ricky Davis, Chris Mihm, Michael Stewart and a second-round draft pick to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Eric Williams, Tony Battie, and Kedrick Brown. Later, Darius Miles was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jeff McInnis and Ruben Boumtje Boumtje.
The Cavaliers lost their first five games of the season, leading them to an awful 6–19 start. However, they played .500 basketball for the remainder of the season, finishing fifth in the Central Division with a 35–47 record. They fell just one game short of making the playoffs. James was named Rookie of the Year and selected to the All-Rookie First Team. Following the season, second-year forward Carlos Boozer signed as a free agent with the Utah Jazz.

## Offseason

Despite James being with Cleveland for the first season, Cleveland still did not make the playoffs, still needing improvement.

## Draft picks

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
| 1 | 1 | LeBron James | Small Forward | USA | St. Vincent-St.Mary (Akron, OH) |
| 2 | 31 | Jason Kapono | Forward | USA | UCLA |

## Regular season

* Facing the Sacramento Kings in his first NBA game, LeBron James recorded 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals and shooting 60% from the field. After recording a season-high 41 points against the New Jersey Nets, James became the youngest player in league history to score 40 points in a game. He averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game for the season, and was named Rookie of the Year; becoming the first Cavalier and youngest NBA player to ever receive the award. He joined Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan as the only three players in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in their rookie season. The Cavaliers improved by 18 wins and concluded the regular season with a 35–47 record, but failed to make the playoffs.

### Standings

| Central Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Indiana Pacers | 61 | 21 | .744 | – | 34–7 | 27–14 | 20–8 |
| x-Detroit Pistons | 54 | 28 | .659 | 7 | 31–10 | 23–18 | 17–11 |
| x-New Orleans Hornets | 41 | 41 | .500 | 20 | 25–16 | 16–25 | 14–14 |
| x-Milwaukee Bucks | 41 | 41 | .500 | 20 | 27–14 | 14–27 | 15–13 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 35 | 47 | .427 | 26 | 23–18 | 12–29 | 14–14 |
| Toronto Raptors | 33 | 49 | .402 | 28 | 18–23 | 15–26 | 11–17 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 28 | 54 | .341 | 33 | 18–23 | 10–31 | 10–18 |
| Chicago Bulls | 23 | 59 | .280 | 38 | 14–27 | 9–32 | 11–17 |
| # | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | z-Indiana Pacers | 61 | 21 | .744 | – |
| 2 | y-New Jersey Nets | 47 | 35 | .573 | 14 |
| 3 | x-Detroit Pistons | 54 | 28 | .659 | 7 |
| 4 | x-Miami Heat | 42 | 40 | .512 | 19 |
| 5 | x-New Orleans Hornets | 41 | 41 | .500 | 20 |
| 6 | x-Milwaukee Bucks | 41 | 41 | .500 | 20 |
| 7 | x-New York Knicks | 39 | 43 | .476 | 22 |
| 8 | x-Boston Celtics | 36 | 46 | .439 | 25 |
| 9 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 35 | 47 | .427 | 26 |
| 10 | Toronto Raptors | 33 | 49 | .402 | 28 |
| 11 | Philadelphia 76ers | 33 | 49 | .402 | 28 |
| 12 | Atlanta Hawks | 28 | 54 | .341 | 33 |
| 13 | Washington Wizards | 25 | 57 | .305 | 36 |
| 14 | Chicago Bulls | 23 | 59 | .280 | 38 |
| 15 | Orlando Magic | 21 | 61 | .256 | 40 |

### Record vs. opponents

2003-04 NBA Records :
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NOH | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | TOR | UTA | WAS |
| Atlanta | – | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
| Boston | 1–3 | – | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| Chicago | 1–3 | 2–1 | – | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
| Cleveland | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | – | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Dallas | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | – | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Denver | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | – | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| Detroit | 3–1 | 3–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 |
| Golden State | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | – | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Houston | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Indiana | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 |
| L.A. Clippers | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | – | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | – | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| Memphis | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
| Miami | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | – | 1–2 | 0–2 | 3–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
| Milwaukee | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | – | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| Minnesota | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | – | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| New Jersey | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | – | 2–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
| New Orleans | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | – | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| New York | 3–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | – | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 |
| Orlando | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | – | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 |
| Philadelphia | 2–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 |
| Phoenix | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Portland | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Sacramento | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | – | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| San Antonio | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | – | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 |
| Seattle | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | – | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| Toronto | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | – | 1–1 | 1–3 |
| Utah | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | – | 1–1 |
| Washington | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — |

## Game log

2003–04 game log Total: 35–47 (Home: 23–18; Road: 12–29) :
October: 0–2 (home: 0–0; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 29
@ Sacramento
L 92–106
LeBron James (25)
Carlos Boozer (11)
LeBron James (9)
ARCO Arena 17,317
0–1
2
October 30
@ Phoenix
L 86–95
Ricky Davis (22)
Carlos Boozer (14)
LeBron James (8)
America West Arena 18,422
0–2 :
November
: 4–11 (home: 4–3; road: 0–8)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
3
November 1
@ Portland
L 85–104
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (21)
Carlos Boozer (9)
Ricky Davis (7)
Rose Garden 20,610
0–3
4
November 5
Denver
L 89–93
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (23)
LeBron James (11)
James, Ollie (7)
Gund Arena 20,562
0–4
5
November 7
@ Indiana
L 90–91
LeBron James (23)
Ricky Davis (12)
Ricky Davis (10)
Conseco Fieldhouse 18,345
0–5
6
November 8
Washington
W 111–98
Miles, Davis (26)
James, Davis, Boozer (8)
LeBron James (9)
Gund Arena 17,706
1–5
7
November 10
New York
W 94–80
Chris Mihm (19)
Carlos Boozer (8)
Ricky Davis (8)
Gund Arena 16,422
2–5
8
November 12
@ Miami
L 83–88
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20)
Carlos Boozer (16)
LeBron James (7)
American Airlines Arena 15,329
2–6
9
November 14
@ Boston
L 82–91
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (22)
Carlos Boozer (11)
Ricky Davis (6)
FleetCenter 18,624
2–7
10
November 15
Philadelphia
W 91–88 (OT)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (28)
Carlos Boozer (15)
LeBron James (8)
Gund Arena 20,562
3–7
11
November 18
L.A. Clippers
W 103–95
Ricky Davis (27)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10)
LeBron James (8)
Gund Arena 16,176
4–7
12
November 19
@ Washington
L 95–106
LeBron James (28)
Chris Mihm (12)
James, Ollie (8)
MCI Center 19,705
4–8
13
November 21
Minnesota
L 83–97
LeBron James (19)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12)
Ricky Davis (6)
Gund Arena 19,269
4–9
14
November 22
@ Atlanta
L 83–92
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (21)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10)
Ricky Davis (6)
Philips Arena 19,445
4–10
15
November 26
@ New Orleans
L 72–82
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (20)
James, Mihm (8)
LeBron James (9)
New Orleans Arena 16,410
4–11
16
November 28
@ Detroit
L 88–92
Ricky Davis (25)
Chris Mihm (13)
LeBron James (7)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
4–12
17
November 29
Memphis
L 115–122 (2OT)
LeBron James (33)
LeBron James (16)
James, Davis (7)
Gund Arena 18,102
4–13 :
December
: 6–9 (home: 4–5; road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
18
December 2
@ Denver
L 103–115
LeBron James (19)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (13)
Davis, James (5)
Pepsi Center 19,610
4–14
19
December 3
@ L.A. Clippers
L 80–90
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24)
Carlos Boozer (21)
LeBron James (8)
Staples Center 17,445
4–15
20
December 6
Atlanta
W 95–85
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19)
Carlos Boozer (10)
LeBron James (5)
Gund Arena 17,390
5–15
21
December 9
Toronto
L 93–100
LeBron James (18)
Ira Newble (10)
Ricky Davis (6)
Gund Arena 16,139
5–16
22
December 11
Detroit
W 95–86
Carlos Boozer (28)
Chris Mihm (10)
LeBron James (9)
Gund Arena 15,115
6–16
23
December 13
Boston
L 98–105
LeBron James (37)
Carlos Boozer (15)
Ricky Davis (8)
Gund Arena 17,353
6–17
24
December 15
@ Indiana
L 85–95
LeBron James (27)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (7)
LeBron James (6)
Conseco Fieldhouse 14,951
6–18
25
December 17
Houston
L 85–89
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19)
Carlos Boozer (11)
Kevin Ollie (6)
Gund Arena 14,567
6–19
26
December 19
@ Philadelphia
W 88–81
LeBron James (36)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (9)
Kevin Ollie (12)
Wachovia Center 20,761
7–19
27
December 20
@ Chicago
W 95–87
LeBron James (32)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12)
LeBron James (10)
United Center 22,282
8–19
28
December 23
New Orleans
W 97–86
LeBron James (22)
Carlos Boozer (14)
J. R. Bremer (4)
Gund Arena 16,609
9–19
29
December 25
@ Orlando
L 101–113 (OT)
LeBron James (34)
Carlos Boozer (19)
LeBron James (6)
TD Waterhouse Centre 17,283
9–20
30
December 26
Chicago
L 80–87
LeBron James (18)
Carlos Boozer (14)
Darius Miles (5)
Gund Arena 20,562
9–21
31
December 28
Portland
W 86–74
LeBron James (32)
Carlos Boozer (13)
LeBron James (9)
Gund Arena 18,109
10–21
32
December 30
Indiana
L 89–92
LeBron James (22)
Carlos Boozer (11)
Carlos Boozer (6)
Gund Arena 18,648
10–22 :
January
: 7–7 (home: 5–1; road: 2–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
33
January 2
@ New Jersey
L 82–97
Carlos Boozer (16)
Carlos Boozer (13)
LeBron James (9)
Continental Airlines Arena 19,968
10–23
34
January 6
New York
W 107–96
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24)
Tony Battie (8)
LeBron James (10)
Gund Arena 15,277
11–23
35
January 7
@ Toronto
L 69–75
LeBron James (21)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12)
LeBron James (5)
Air Canada Centre 19,874
11–24
36
January 9
@ Boston
L 82–107
LeBron James (19)
Tony Battie (13)
LeBrob James (6)
FleetCenter 18,624
11–25
37
January 12
@ L.A. Lakers
L 79–89
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19)
Carlos Boozer (12)
LeBron James (7)
Staples Center 18,997
11–26
38
January 13
@ Seattle
W 104–96
LeBron James (27)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (10)
LeBron James (9)
KeyArena 17,072
12–26
39
January 15
@ Golden State
L 102–119
LeBron James (29)
Carlos Boozer (10)
LeBron James (6)
The Arena in Oakland 19,602
12–27
40
January 17
@ Utah
W 102–96 (OT)
Carlos Boozer (32)
Carlos Boozer (18)
Eric Williams (5)
Delta Center 19,622
13–27
41
January 20
Seattle
W 99–94
Carlos Boozer (32)
Carlos Boozer (20)
Carlos Boozer (4)
Gund Arena 14,048
14–27
42
January 22
Sacramento
L 89–95
Dajuan Wagner (20)
Carlos Boozer (11)
Kevin Ollie (9)
Gund Arena 17,720
14–28
43
January 24
Philadelphia
W 95–87
Eric Williams (20)
Carlos Boozer (15)
Jeff McInnis (6)
Gund Arena 20,562
15–28
44
January 26
Orlando
W 99–98
Carlos Boozer (23)
Carlos Boozer (16)
Jeff McInnis (7)
Gund Arena 14,382
16–28
45
January 28
Miami
W 94–93
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (30)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
Jeff McInnis (8)
Gund Arena 14,433
17–28
46
January 30
@ Milwaukee
L 95–101
LeBron James (20)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
Jeff McInnis (5)
Bradley Center 18,717
17–29 :
February
: 7–6 (home: 3–4; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
47
February 1
@ Washington
W 104–100
LeBron James (38)
Carlos Boozer (14)
Jeff McInnis (9)
MCI Center 15,541
18–29
48
February 3
@ Detroit
W 85–82
Carlos Booxer (21)
Carlos Boozer (15)
LeBron James (6)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 22,076
19–29
49
February 4
L.A. Lakers
L 106–111 (OT)
LeBron James (32)
Carlos Boozer (16)
Carlos Boozer (7)
Gund Arena 20,562
19–30
50
February 6
@ Minnesota
L 92–103
Jeff McInnis (21)
James, Boozer (9)
James, McInnis (5)
Target Center 19,212
19–31
51
February 7
Washington
L 88–106
Carlos Boozer (19)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11)
LeBron James (6)
Gund Arena 20,562
19–32
52
February 9
Boston
W 97–89
LeBron James (24)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (16)
Jeff McInnis (9)
Gund Arena 15,146
20–32
53
February 11
New Jersey
L 85–105
Eric Williams (14)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (17)
McInnis, James (5)
Gund Arena 15,074
20–33
54
February 18
Dallas
L 98–114
Carlos Boozer (24)
Carlos Boozer (14)
LeBron James (9)
Gund Arena 18,349
20–34
55
February 20
San Antonio
W 89–87
LeBron James (32)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (12)
Jeff McInnis (8)
Gund Arena 20,562
21–34
56
February 22
@ New York
W 92–86
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (31)
Carlos Boozer (17)
Jeff McInnis (4)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
22–34
57
February 23
New Orleans
W 104–100
Carlos Boozer (24)
Carlos Boozer (9)
Jeff McInnis (9)
Gund Arena 17,093
23–34
58
February 25
@ Houston
L 84–90
McInnins, Ilgauskas (17)
Carlos Boozer (18)
Jeff McInnis (10)
Toyota Center 18,184
23–35
59
February 27
@ Orlando
W 112–107 (OT)
LeBron James (30)
Carlos Boozer (16)
Jeff McInnis (10)
TD Waterhouse Centre 17,283
24–35 :
March
: 8–7 (home: 5–3; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
60
March 1
@ Chicago
L 81–92
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (19)
Carlos Boozer (13)
Jeff McInnis (6)
United Center 19,203
24–36
61
March 3
Atlanta
W 112–80
LeBron James (24)
Carlos Boozer (15)
Jeff McInnis (9)
Gund Arena 20,562
25–36
62
March 5
@ New Orleans
W 88–85
LeBron James (19)
Eric Williams (11)
Jeff McInnis (11)
New Orleans Arena 17,795
26–36
63
March 6
Milwaukee
W 106–97
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (29)
Carlos Boozer (13)
Jeff McInnis (12)
Gund Arena 20,562
27–36
64
March 8
@ Atlanta
W 108–102
LeBron James (34)
Carlos Boozer (11)
Jeff McInnis (10)
Philips Arena 14,050
28–36
65
March 10
@ Toronto
W 106–92
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (30)
Carlos Boozer (13)
Jeff McInnis (7)
Air Canada Centre 17,459
29–36
66
March 14
Indiana
W 107–104
LeBron James (26)
Boozer, Ilgauskas (9)
Jeff McInnis (10)
Gund Arena 20,562
30–36
67
March 16
Chicago
W 111–87
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (17)
LeBron James (8)
Gund Arena 17,776
31–36
68
March 19
Utah
L 88–97
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (24)
Carlos Boozer (13)
LeBron James (7)
Gund Arena 20,562
31–37
69
March 21
Detroit
L 76–96
Carlos Boozer (21)
Carlos Boozer (17)
Kevin Ollie (8)
Gund Arena 20,562
31–38
70
March 23
Phoenix
L 86–103
LeBron James (25)
Carlos Boozer (14)
LeBron James (6)
Gund Arena 19,024
31–39
71
March 26
@ Philadelphia
L 71–86
LeBron James (16)
Carlos Boozer (11)
LeBron James (7)
Wachovia Center 20,804
31–40
72
March 27
New Jersey
W 107–104
LeBron James (41)
Carlos Boozer (11)
LeBron James (13)
Gund Arena 20,562
32–40
73
March 29
@ San Antonio
L 91–103
James, Ilgauskas (18)
Ilgauskas, Diop (6)
Ollie, Battie (5)
SBC Center 18,797
32–41
74
March 30
@ Dallas
L 109–126
LeBron James (28)
Carlos Boozer (20)
James, Ollie, Cleaves (6)
American Airlines Center 20,575
32–42 :
April
: 3–5 (home: 2–2; road: 1–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
75
April 2
@ Milwaukee
L 89–107
Carlos Boozer (26)
Carlos Boozer (11)
Mateen Cleaves (8)
Bradley Center 17,813
32–43
76
April 3
Golden State
L 100–103
LeBron James (34)
Carlos Boozer (13)
LeBron James (10)
Gund Arena 20,562
32–44
77
April 6
Toronto
L 86–87
LeBron James (21)
Boozer, Ilgauskas (15)
Jeff McInnis (10)
Gund Arena 20,071
32–45
78
April 7
@ Memphis
L 74–92
Dajuan Wagner (18)
Carlos Boozer (8)
Jeff McInnis (6)
Pyramid Arena 19,351
32–46
79
April 9
@ Miami
L 91–106
LeBron James (24)
James, Ilgauskas (7)
LeBron James (8)
American Airlines Arena 20,213
32–47
80
April 10
Miami
W 91–80
Jeff McInnis (16)
Carlos Boozer (14)
LeBron James (11)
Gund Arena 20,562
33–47
81
April 12
Milwaukee
W 93–89
LeBron James (27)
Zydrunas Ilgauskas (14)
LeBron James (9)
Gund Arena 20,562
34–47
82
April 14
@ New York
W 100–90
Jeff McInnis (19)
Carlos Boozer (12)
Jeff McInnis (7)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
35–47 :
2003–04 schedule :

## Player stats
### Regular season

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Tony Battie* | 50 | 1 | 19.5 | .427 | .125 | .768 | 4.8 | .7 | .36 | .94 | 5.4 |
| Carlos Boozer | 75 | 75 | 34.6 | .523 | .167 | .768 | 11.4 | 2.0 | .99 | .73 | 15.5 |
| Kedrick Brown* | 34 | 16 | 16.5 | .465 | .388 | .643 | 2.3 | 1.1 | .38 | .15 | 5.3 |
| Mateen Cleaves | 4 | 2 | 23.0 | .304 | .000 | .500 | 1.8 | 4.8 | 1.00 | .50 | 3.8 |
| DeSagana Diop | 56 | 3 | 13.0 | .388 | .000 | .600 | 3.6 | .6 | .46 | .91 | 2.3 |
| Žydrūnas Ilgauskas | 81 | 81 | 31.3 | .483 | .286 | .746 | 8.1 | 1.3 | .48 | 2.48 | 15.3 |
| LeBron James | 79 | 79 | 39.5 | .417 | .290 | .754 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 1.65 | .73 | 20.9 |
| Jason Kapono | 41 | 3 | 10.4 | .403 | .477 | .833 | 1.3 | .3 | .32 | .05 | 3.5 |
| Jelani McCoy | 2 | 0 | 6.0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 2.0 | .0 | .00 | .00 | .0 |
| Jeff McInnis* | 31 | 31 | 35.4 | .417 | .388 | .836 | 2.6 | 7.5 | 1.16 | .13 | 11.7 |
| Lee Nailon* | 22 | 4 | 18.0 | .451 | .000 | .800 | 3.0 | .8 | .18 | .05 | 7.7 |
| Ira Newble | 64 | 25 | 19.5 | .391 | .105 | .783 | 2.4 | 1.1 | .39 | .30 | 4.0 |
| Kevin Ollie | 82 | 7 | 17.1 | .370 | .444 | .835 | 2.1 | 2.9 | .62 | .10 | 4.2 |
| Dajuan Wagner | 44 | 4 | 16.1 | .366 | .360 | .681 | 1.3 | 1.2 | .59 | .16 | 6.5 |
| Eric Williams* | 50 | 36 | 27.5 | .366 | .253 | .787 | 3.8 | 1.9 | .96 | .16 | 9.4 |
* Statistics include only games with the Cavaliers

## Award winners

* LeBron James, Small Forward, Rookie of the Year
* LeBron James, Small Forward, NBA All-Rookie First Team