Game 7 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons will be played at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday, and the Cavs expect a heavy contingent of visiting supporters after owner Dan Gilbert reportedly sent busloads of season-ticket holders to Detroit with expenses covered for the Eastern Conference finals showdown, the report says.
Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson called the move “awesome,” saying players and staff noticed the traveling support. Atkinson added that seeing friendly faces in the building matters and that the gesture is generous but driven by a desire to win.
The report notes historic advantages for home teams in deciding games: home clubs are 115-39 (.747) in Game 7s in NBA history, excluding the 2020 bubble, per ESPN Research.
Social media posts surfaced ahead of tipoff showing more than 20 buses loaded to take Cavs fans to Detroit, with free shirts, food, tickets and transportation included, the report says. Gilbert previously transported hundreds of fans to Detroit for Game 5, an effort that the report says helped Cleveland secure its first road playoff victory of the season, a 117-113 overtime win against the Pistons.
Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell expressed amazement at the commitment of traveling fans after that game, saying in the report that the atmosphere felt like being at home and offering a shoutout to the organization and supporters. The teams now prepare for the winner-take-all Game 7 at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday.
