(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 1970 1980 1983 2003 2010 2014 2016 Expansion in Cleveland The Cleveland Cavaliers first began play in the NBA in 1970 as an expansion team under the ownership of Nick Mileti. Playing their home games at Cleveland Arena under the direction of head coach Bill Fitch, they compiled a league-worst 15–67 record in their inaugural …