Schroder's speech, 11 points in 4th help Cavaliers take series lead

CLEVELAND — James Harden garnered the most attention in the series of moves the Cleveland Cavaliers made near the NBA trade deadline. However, the Cavaliers would have been in dire straits Wednesday without Dennis Schroder. Schroder scored 11 points in the fourth quarter as the Cavaliers came back to beat the Toronto Raptors 125-120 in Game 5 of their first-round series. "This guy's played in huge games in the NBA and then on the international scene, so this type of game fits him," Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said. "I think it started with him getting to the rim and then that loosened up the jumper for him. And then I thought his defense on (RJ) Barrett really got under him, harassed him. He really was Dennis the Menace tonight." Schroder — acquired from the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 1 along with Keon Ellis — finished with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including three 3-pointers, in 21 minutes. This is the 17th time Schroder has scored at least 19 points in a playoff game. He had 20 points for Detroit in Game 2 of its first-round series against New York last year. It was the third-most points Schroder has scored since joining the Cavaliers. "I love big games, I love the playoffs. You've just got to embrace it," Schroder said. "I've been through a lot of big games of my career, and I've seen it. I think experience matters, but at the end of the day, the urgency and the energy, you've got to have it." Schroder's biggest contribution came before the fourth quarter. The Cavaliers trailed 74-67 at halftime. The 13-year veteran gave a detailed 2-3 minute breakdown in the locker room on what was needed to come back. "I just wanted to see Cavs basketball, how we played when we first got here. We did a great job even throughout this season when we first got here, but I think we got a little bit away from that," Schroder said. "We need the big guys. Jarrett (Allen) and Evan Mobley are the key to our team. We've got two superstars with Don (Donovan Mitchell) and with Uno (James Harden), but those two big guys, we've got to use them." Mobley had six of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, both on 3-pointers. His 3 with 10:21 remaining off an assist by Schroder gave Cleveland a 106-103 lead that it would not relinquish. Schroder added a layup to extend the Cavs' lead to five points. "I was just trying to be aggressive. I just wanted to come out and bring the energy, try to help as much as I can to get the W," Schroder said. Schroder played the final 16 minutes. Atkinson tried to get Mitchell and Mobley back in during the fourth quarter, but Mitchell said the group on the floor was playing well. "Sometimes the best offense is just going to stand over there. There's a trust level that I have, and we all have with this group," said Mitchell, who had 19 points. "And like I said, it's the playoffs, man. It doesn't matter if it's me, whoever it is, as long as we're getting quality looks and figuring it out. And that's what we saw throughout tonight." Schroder said he did not realize Mitchell chose to stay on the bench until someone mentioned it after the game. "I'm the same way, though. When somebody is balling and even when the coach tells me to get in, I'm letting the guy cook. Whoever cooks, and I appreciate that from Don," Schroder said. "That means a lot. He is a superstar. Not a lot of superstars do that who I've been around." Schroder and the Cavaliers will try to close out the series Friday in Toronto. NBA PLAYOFFSFIRST ROUND(Best-of-7; x-if necessary)Monday, April 27Orlando 94, Detroit 88Oklahoma City 131, Phoenix 122, Oklahoma City wins series 4-0Denver 125, Minnesota 113, Minnesota leads 3-2Tuesday, April 28Philadelphia 113, Boston 97, Boston leads 3-2New York 126, Atlanta 97, New York leads 3-2San Antonio 114, Portland 95, San Antonio wins 4-1Wednesday, April 29Detroit 116, Orlando 109, Orlando leads series 3-2Cleveland 125, Toronto 120, Cleveland leads series 3-2Houston 99, L.A. Lakers 93, L.A. Lakers leads series 3-2Thursday, April 30New York at Atlanta, lateBoston at Philadelphia, lateDenver at Minnesota, lateFriday, May 1Detroit at Orlando, 7 p.m.Cleveland at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.L.A. Lakers at Houston, 9:30 p.m.Saturday, May 2x-Atlanta at New York, TBAx-Philadelphia at Boston, TBAx-Minnesota at Denver, TBASunday, May 3x-Orlando at Detroit, TBAx-Toronto at Cleveland, TBAx-Houston at L.A. Lakers, TBA