In the playoffs, role players tend to play their best at home, and that’s what we saw on Wednesday night at Rocket Arena in the Cavs’ 125-120 victory over the Raptors in Game 5 of their first-round series.
Cleveland, which leads the series 3-2, can close things out in Game 6 in Toronto on Friday night.
Cavs reverse guard Dennis Schroder, who the team acquired from the Kings in February, scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. Schroder scored 11 of the team’s 25 fourth-quarter points and seven of the team’s final 12 points.
“Yeah, I was trying to be aggressive,” Schroder said. “We were speaking at halftime and making sure we were playing Cavs’ basketball. I just tried to come out and bring the energy. Tried to help as much as I can to get the W.”
Donovan Mitchell, who had 19 points in Game 5, says Schroder brought not only offense, but also defense.
“He really led that charge, especially in the fourth,” Mitchell said. “You look at the 19 points, but I mean, his defensive presence, just being around, just being there causing havoc, and making them pay, especially when they are denying James(Harden) and denying myself.”
Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson says Schroder, who has been big time on the international stage and had success in the playoffs, is built for the postseason.
“When we were talking about trading for him, that was one of the things that came up,” Atkinson said after the win. “This guy has played in huge games in the NBA and then on the international scene. This type of game fits him… He was, as we like to call him, “Dennis the Menace” tonight.”
Cleveland, which trailed by 12 points in the third quarter and trailed 103-100 heading into the fourth quarter, also tightened the screws on defense in the final stanza. They held the Raptors to 17 points in the fourth on 25% shooting from the field.
The Cavs now have to try to put this series away in Game 6. You never want to play in a Game 7 because anything can happen. We’ll see if they come out with a sense of urgency on Friday night.
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