Cavs Played 7 Back-to-Back-to-Backs in Same Season

Forty years ago, playing three NBA games in as many nights not only could make legs heavy and bodies ache, but potentially burn holes in nasal cavities. The grueling back-to-back-to-backs, once commonplace in the league, had both a feel and a scent.

"We had to wash our own jerseys on the road back in those days," former Cavaliers star Austin Carr said. "And, if you had a guy who didn't wash his uniform for a couple of games it could start to smell. It wasn't too bad at first, but as soon as he started sweating, oh, man."

With all the conveniences associated with modern NBA travel, the only way the depleted Cavaliers will stink up the court is by continuing their current run of play. But the upcoming schedule - featuring seven games over nine nights starting Tuesday - will give players a sample of what Cavs alumni like Carr, Jim Chones and Campy Russell endured while playing for the organization in the 1970s.

Except, of course, they won't have to fly commercial airlines. Or, carry their own luggage. Or, roam airport concourses like zombies after midnight in search of leftover hot dogs. Or, play seven back-to-back-to-backs in the same season as the "Miracle of Richfield" team did in 1975-76.