10 Best Christmas Day Games in Cleveland Cavaliers History

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7. Lost at Orlando, 113-101 in OT (2003)

LeBron James during the 2003-04 season
Cleveland was playing on the holiday for the first time in 14 years thanks to the presence of rookie LeBron James, who lived up to the hype with a 34-point performance. Unfortunately, the Orlando Magic’s Tracy McGrady poured in 41. With 6:36 left in regulation, Orlando led 95-86, but then missed 12 of its next 13 shots. Carlos Boozer then sent the game into overtime by tipping in a James miss with 46.9 seconds to play.

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Brad Sullivan is a lead writer for Cavaliers Nation. He has spent much of life in the Cleveland, Ohio area, and has remained a Cavalier fan from their 1970 beginnings through the return of LeBron James. While that fandom was sorely tested during the Reign of Error known simply by one word, Stepien, that overall historical perspective will be part of his writing for Cavaliers Nation in the months ahead.