But if the Cavs don't win an NBA championship, will this season be a disappointment?

Many of the Cavs think so.

"It's an interesting comment," James said. "You never want to put disappointment with anything, but that's the only reason we're playing this season.

"That's the only reason we come to the gym and work as hard as we do and try to get better every day."

Expectations are sky high with not only the players, but the coaching staff, organization, media and fans. One reason for the fans' optimism is the fact they're starved for a winner. Maybe the Cavs can fill that void.

James will likely be Most Valuable Player, a first-team All-NBA forward and possibly a first-team All-Defensive player.

Brown is the leading candidate to be Coach of the Year, with Ferry in the same boat as Executive of the Year.

"We only have one goal," Cavs guard Mo Williams said. "We knew with that goal and being on pace for that goal, we'd get all kinds of accolades in the middle of it. Everything we get with it, we'll appreciate it and cherish it."

CAVS 102, MAVERICKS 74: Most fans were anticipating a stellar season from the 2008-09 Cavaliers.

But a 60-win season was more than even the most ardent fans were expecting.

The Cavs were dominant in the second half, as they smashed the Dallas Mavericks Sunday before a sold-out crowd in Quicken Loans Arena.

The Cavs (60-13) also recorded their 12th consecutive victory, which sets a franchise record.

And, for the second game in a row, All-Star forward LeBron James took a devastating blow. However, instead of it being from an opposing player like in the Minnesota game, he took a blindside hit from an official.

While he was running up the court, he collided with official Derek Richardson with about three minutes left in the third quarter. The referee got right up. James didn't.

He had the breath knocked out of him.

"That should have been a flagrant-2 (foul)," James joked. "They should have kicked him out."

James finished with 24 points, 12 assists and six rebounds and helped the Cavs become the 61st team in NBA history to win 60 games.

The Cavs awoke from their slumber in the third quarter by outscoring the Mavs, 30-11. Forward LeBron James outscored Dallas in the third quarter, 15-11. He made 6-of-11 shots in the third and added four assists.

But valuable reserve Joe Smith spearheaded the comeback in the second quarter. He had seven of his 12 points in the second. He ended with a game-high 13 rebounds during his first double-double of the season.