The 1996–97 NBA season was the 27th season of the National Basketball Association in Cleveland, Ohio. During the offseason, the Cavaliers signed free agent Mark West. The Cavaliers started their season winning nine of their first twelve games, but after a 21–10 start, they lost six straight games in January while losing 11 of their next 14 games. The team played above .500 for the entire season, but started to struggle down the stretch, losing 10 of their 16 games in March. On the final day of the regular season, the Cavaliers faced the Washington Bullets at the Gund Arena, as both teams were fighting for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bullets won 85–81 as the Cavs missed the playoffs, finishing 5th in the Central Division with a 42–40 record. The Cavalier