The Cleveland Cavaliers are just hours away from the moment the fans have been waiting for all season long: Playoff basketball.
They will have homecourt advantage through the NBA Finals, but that can only take them so far.
It’ll be up to the players to protect that, and Donovan Mitchell knows its importance.
When asked about the team’s priority for this playoff run, the former Utah Jazz combo guard made it loud and clear that they intend to protect homecourt advantage at all costs (via Serena Winters):
“Protect home court is the biggest thing…Understanding your opponent, what type of series it’s going to be & then play in front of the best fans in the league, use that to our advantage,” he said.
“Protect home court is the biggest thing…Understanding your opponent, what type of series it's going to be & then play in front of the best fans in the league, use that to our advantage…
Game 1’s man, especially here, game ones are just different.”
7pm on @FanDuelSN_CLE ! pic.twitter.com/qT8zMHuSN9
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) April 20, 2025
The Cavs had an opportunity to clinch the best record in the entire league, but they took their foot off the gas down the stretch.
They now have to hope that the Oklahoma City Thunder don’t make it out of the Western Conference ahead of a potential matchup in the NBA Finals, as they’re the only team that would have homecourt advantage over them.
Then again, that will only be the case if the Cavs take care of business and make it as far as their regular-season record states they should get.
There’s no reason to believe this team can’t be as dominant in the playoffs as they were in the regular season.
Still, everybody gets a clean slate in the postseason.
Having four out of seven games at home can be a huge edge for any team, but that will only be the case for as long as they protect homecourt advantage and don’t overlook any of their opponents.
NEXT: Analyst Sends Warning To Cavs Ahead Of Playoffs
