3. Their regular season was virtually free of injury.
Those with long memories remember all too well that Chones broke a foot before the start of the conference finals against the Boston Celtics. But up to that point, good health had as much to do with the Cavs’ success as anything. Chones, Brewer, Cleamons, forward Campy Russell and guard Dick Snyder appeared in all 82 games, and swingman Bobby “Bingo” Smith – the last remnant from the roster of the 67-loss expansion team of 1970-71 – played in 81.
Even Nate Thurmond, who was 34 years old at the time of his acquisition from the Chicago Bulls in late November, played in 65 of 68 games primarily as a backup to Chones.
Next: They bypassed the first round.
