TITLE: Dennis Schroder’s fourth-quarter surge lifts Cavaliers to Game 5 victory
SLUG: schroder-fourth-quarter-sparks-cavs-game-5-win
CONTENT:
CLEVELAND — Guard Dennis Schroder delivered the voice and scoring punch the Cleveland Cavaliers needed Tuesday, guiding a 125-120 comeback over their postseason opponent and putting Cleveland ahead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
The Cavaliers trailed at halftime before Schroder addressed the locker room, urging teammates to “get back to the identity” by attacking through the big men and ramping up energy. The message set the tone for the closing stretch.
Schroder played the entire fourth quarter, logging 11 of his 19 points in that span while stabilizing the offense and helping lock in defensively. Cleveland protected the ball and clamped down on the other end to reverse the momentum.
“We needed to win this game. It’s all about momentum,” Schroder said postgame. “I felt like I had to say something so we could rise and play Cavs basketball.”
Head coach Kenny Atkinson, who pushed for Schroder’s midseason acquisition, said the veteran’s playoff experience was a key factor. “He was, as we like to call him, Dennis the Menace tonight,” Atkinson noted.
Atkinson briefly considered substituting Schroder late, but star guard Donovan Mitchell vetoed the idea. “This is working,” Mitchell told the staff. “You ride the hot hand.”
James Harden echoed that sentiment when asked about ball security in the final minutes. “Give Dennis the ball,” Harden said with a grin.
Schroder embraced the magnitude of the moment. “I love big games. I love the playoffs,” he said. “Every player is working for that moment.”
Atkinson said the performance carried weight beyond one night. “We’re trying to get over the hump. Game 5, 2-2, high pressure — I think we took a step tonight.”
The series shifts to Game 6 with Cleveland one win away from advancing.
Source: Hoops Wire
