-
Jamal Collier
multiple authors
cleveland with Cavaliers Trailing at halftime of decisive Game 5 of their first-round series against Toronto Raptorsexperienced dennis schroder Gave a message to the home locker room.
Then, in the fourth quarter, he led the team by example.
Schroder played the entire fourth, scoring 11 of his 19 points on 5-of-8 shooting, as the Cavs outscored the Raptors 25–17 in the final period and won 125–120. With Game 6 on Friday in Toronto, the Cavs lead the series 3-2.
“We had to win this game,” Schroder said. “It’s all about momentum. They had momentum in Game 5 because they had won two in a row. We played in front of our fans and we didn’t play how we should have played.
“I felt like I had to say something to the group, so we can get up and play Cavs basketball and play to our standards.”
Schroder, a 32-year-old veteran who came to Cleveland on a trade in February, said he urged the team to return to the principles upon which the team was built, playing through its big players, evan mobley And jarrett allenPlaying with more aggression and energy.
The Cavs trailed 74–67 at halftime and were down 103–100 entering the fourth quarter, before Schroder’s late surge helped them stage a comeback. According to ESPN Research, this is the first time the Cavs have won a playoff game after trailing early in the fourth quarter since 2018, when they came back to defeat the Raptors in the 2018 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
“When we were talking about trading [Schroder]That was one of the things that stood out: This guy has played big games in the NBA and then in the international scene,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said. “This type of game suits him.
“He was Dangerous Dennis tonight as we like to call him.”
At one point, when Schroder was leading in the fourth quarter, Atkinson attempted to bring in a replacement. Donovan Mitchell And Mobley is back in the game. But Mitchell said both he and Mobley would prefer Schröder to remain in the game.
“It’s about the group,” Mitchell said. “It’s working. We’re getting stops. And I think the greatest thing about this group is that it’s collective. It’s not about one guy or two guys. We know who we are and we know what Dennis is bringing. You ride the hot hand.”
While the Cavs grabbed headlines for james harden Before the trade deadline in February, they also acquired keon ellis And in a three-team trade with Schroder Sacramento Kings And Chicago Bulls. The acquisition of Schroder was unexpected, but he helped steady Cleveland after an up-and-down first half against Toronto.
The Cavs gave up 23 points off turnovers in the first half, but committed only five of their 15 turnovers in the second half and one in the fourth quarter, with Schroder sharing ball-handling duties.
Asked about limiting turnovers, Harden laughed and said, “Give Dennis the ball.”
And yet, Schroder had seen limited action in this series before Game 5, averaging just 11.3 minutes per game during the first four games and sitting out the entire second half of Game 3 before his implosion on Wednesday.
“Big games. I love big games,” Schroder said. “I love the playoffs. I think every player is working for that moment.”
After gaining control of the series, Atkinson said he believed Wednesday’s win was one that could help Cleveland build resiliency for what is expected to be a long playoff run.
“We’re trying to get over the hump,” Atkinson said. “We’re trying to get to the next level. It’s a real mental challenge for me. Game 5, 2-2, these are high-pressure moments. You’re down. You can feel the crowd getting nervous. I think we took a step up tonight.”
