Cavs' Schroder Highlights Home-Court Advantage for Playoff Push

Veteran guard says Cavaliers' home crowd will be key in first-round matchup.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:40am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Cavaliers basketball game, with overlapping planes of wine red, navy blue, and gold capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The Cavaliers' home-court advantage could be a key factor in their playoff push, with their passionate fans providing an energizing atmosphere.NYC Today

The Cleveland Cavaliers have secured a playoff berth and home-court advantage in the first round, a significant boost after a challenging regular season marked by injuries and roster changes. Veteran guard Dennis Schroder emphasized the importance of the Cavs' home-court edge, noting the team's passionate fanbase will provide a valuable advantage as they look to make a deep postseason run.

Why it matters

The Cavaliers' ability to secure home-court advantage in the playoffs is a major accomplishment, especially after their slow start and roster turnover this season. Home-court can be a deciding factor in tight playoff series, giving the Cavs an edge against their first-round opponent.

The details

The Cavaliers struggled with injuries and lineup changes early in the season, but made key trades to acquire players like Keon Ellis, Dennis Schroder, and James Harden. Those moves helped the team turn things around in the second half and clinch at least the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Now, the Cavs will have the benefit of playing the first round of the playoffs at home, where their passionate fanbase can provide an energizing atmosphere.

  • The Cavaliers secured a playoff berth and home-court advantage on Monday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Dennis Schroder

A veteran guard who was acquired by the Cavaliers in a midseason trade and has been a key contributor to their second-half turnaround.

Keon Ellis

A player the Cavaliers traded for during the season to bolster their roster for the playoff push.

James Harden

A veteran star player the Cavaliers acquired in a trade to help them make a deep playoff run.

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What they’re saying

“Especially with Cavs fans, I think it's very important that we have the home crowd advantage. It's going to help us in the first round. We just got to focus, finishing those games, and be ready.”

— Dennis Schroder, Cavaliers Guard

What’s next

The Cavaliers will now focus on securing the third seed and a more favorable first-round matchup, with their next game coming against the New York Knicks on Wednesday.

The takeaway

The Cavaliers' ability to overcome a challenging regular season and secure home-court advantage in the playoffs is a testament to their resilience and the impact of their midseason roster moves. With their passionate fanbase behind them, the Cavs will look to use their home-court edge to make a deep postseason run.