Schroder Sparks Fourth-Quarter Rally as Cavs Edge Raptors, Grab 3-2 Series Lead
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CLEVELAND — Dennis Schroder took over late, pouring in 11 of his 19 points in the final period to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 125-120 win over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. The comeback victory at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse gives Cleveland a 3-2 advantage in the best-of-seven first-round series, which resumes with Game 6 on Friday in Toronto.
The Cavaliers trailed 103-100 entering the fourth quarter before Schroder shot 5-for-8 in the frame, spearheading a 25-17 closing surge. According to ESPN Research, it marked Cleveland’s first postseason win after trailing to start the fourth quarter since a 2018 semifinal matchup—also against Toronto.
Halftime Message Turns Into Fourth-Quarter Production
Schroder, 32, said he addressed teammates at intermission with the Cavaliers down 74-67, urging them to play through big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen and raise their overall energy. “We needed to win this game,” the veteran guard said. “They had the momentum after two straight wins. I felt I had to say something so we could play Cavs basketball and meet our standards.”
Head coach Kenny Atkinson praised Schroder’s poise in a high-pressure setting. “When we talked about trading for him, we mentioned that he’s played in huge NBA and international games,” Atkinson noted. “Tonight he was, as we call him, Dennis the menace.”
Teammates Defer to the Hot Hand
Atkinson prepared to reinsert Donovan Mitchell and Mobley during Schroder’s fourth-quarter run, but Mitchell advised sticking with the guard who had the offense rolling. “It’s about the collective,” Mitchell said. “We know what Dennis is bringing—you ride the hot hand.”
Cleveland trimmed its turnover total after intermission, coughing up the ball only five times in the second half and just once in the fourth. Asked how the team did it, recently acquired James Harden joked, “Give Dennis the ball.”
Trade Deadline Addition Pays Off
Schroder arrived in a February three-team deal with Sacramento and Chicago that also sent Keon Ellis to Cleveland and Harden to the Cavaliers in a separate move. Limited to 11.3 minutes per game across the first four contests of the series—and benched the entire second half of Game 3—Schroder embraced the spotlight Wednesday. “Big games. I love the playoffs,” he said. “Every player works for that moment.”
Atkinson believes the Game 5 response can help build postseason resilience. “We’re trying to get over the hump,” the coach said. “Game 5 at 2-2 is a high-pressure moment. I think we took a step tonight.”
Source: ESPN
