CLEVELAND — While James Harden received most of the spotlight when Cleveland made moves before the NBA trade deadline, it was Dennis Schroder who saved the Cavaliers from potential disaster Wednesday night.
The veteran guard delivered 11 crucial fourth-quarter points as Cleveland mounted a comeback to defeat Toronto 125-120 in their playoff matchup, putting the Cavaliers in prime position to advance.
“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.”
The guard, who came to Cleveland from Sacramento on February 1st alongside Keon Ellis, put up 19 points while shooting 7-of-11 from the field, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc in just 21 minutes of action. This marked Schroder’s 17th career playoff game with at least 19 points, matching his 20-point performance for Detroit against New York in last year’s postseason.
The scoring output represented Schroder’s third-highest total since joining the Cavaliers roster.
“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.”
Perhaps Schroder’s most significant impact occurred during halftime, with Cleveland facing a 74-67 deficit. The 13-year NBA veteran delivered an extensive two-to-three minute analysis in the locker room, outlining exactly what the team needed to mount a successful comeback.
“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 responded by contributing six of his 23 total points in the final quarter, both coming from three-point range. His long-range shot with 10:21 left on the clock, set up by a Schroder pass, put Cleveland ahead 106-103 for good.
Schroder followed with a layup that pushed the Cavaliers’ advantage 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.
The guard remained on the court for the final 16 minutes of action. When coach Atkinson attempted to reinsert Mitchell and Mobley during the fourth quarter, Mitchell opted to let the successful lineup continue playing.
“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 finished with 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 admitted he was unaware of Mitchell’s decision to remain on the bench until someone informed him after the game concluded.
“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.”
The Cavaliers will attempt to wrap up the series when they travel to Toronto for Friday night’s game.
