Dennis Schröder's Fourth-Quarter Heroics Propel Cavaliers Past Raptors in Game 5

Key facts

• Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Toronto Raptors 125-120 in Game 5 on Wednesday.
• James Harden led the Cavs with 23 points, shooting 4-of-8 from three-point range.
• Dennis Schröder scored 19 points off the bench, including 11 in the fourth quarter.
• Schröder shot 7-of-11 from the floor and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc in 21 minutes.
• Scottie Barnes posted 17 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds for Toronto.
• Brandon Ingram left Game 5 after 11 minutes due to heel inflammation.
• Cleveland's bench outscored Toronto's reserves 36-? (not specified).
• Schröder averaged 4.5 points on 38.9% shooting in the first four games of the series.

Cavaliers Survive Raptors' Push, Take 3-2 Series Lead

The Cleveland Cavaliers held their ground at home Wednesday, defeating the Toronto Raptors 125-120 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in their surprising first-round series. Many believed the Cavs were contenders this postseason to reach the Eastern Conference finals after acquiring James Harden at the trade deadline, but they are getting all they can handle from Toronto early in the playoffs. With the series shifting back to Toronto for Game 6, Cleveland now stands one win away from advancing to the East semifinals. The victory was powered by a balanced attack and a crucial fourth-quarter surge from veteran guard Dennis Schröder.

Schröder Delivers When It Matters Most

Dennis Schröder's time at the Golden State Warriors last season was a forgettable one, but the veteran guard is now making his mark in this year's playoffs as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Schröder was a desperately needed spark for the Cavaliers in Game 5, giving them a scoring punch the Warriors never received during his brief tenure with the franchise. The German had 19 points and two assists in the 125-120 victory, shooting a highly efficient 7-of-11 from the floor and 3-of-6 from 3-point range in over 21 minutes off the bench. It was Schröder's work in the fourth quarter that proved decisive: he played all 12 minutes, scoring 11 points and dishing two assists while shooting 5-of-8 from the floor as head coach Kenny Atkinson went to a smaller lineup down the stretch.

Harden Anchors Offense, Mitchell Struggles

James Harden led Cleveland in a dominant first quarter with 14 points, three rebounds and two assists, setting the tone as the heliocentric figure he’s made a career of being. His ability to control the tempo and pace, using the pockets and gaps in Toronto’s defense to initiate — and extend — ball movement, while also creating space with his trademark stepbacks, are underrated, especially at age 35. Harden posted 23 points and shot 4-of-8 from 3-point range in Game 5. Donovan Mitchell, meanwhile, continued his quiet playoff dip in productivity. He finished with 19 points on 7-of-17 shooting, putting even more of an onus on Harden to lead his teammates. Mitchell looked overwhelmed at times by Toronto’s size, raising questions about Cleveland's ability to escape the first round without a more consistent performance from their star guard.

Barnes Emerges as Two-Way Force for Toronto

Despite Wednesday’s result, the Scottie Barnes ascension is no fluke, farce or flash in the pan. In his fifth NBA season, the 24-year-old has established himself as one of the premier two-way players in basketball. From the opening tip in a pivotal Game 5, Barnes took it upon himself to be aggressive in the open floor, whether by getting to his spots in semi-transition, making quick look-ahead passes to teammates in the restricted area, or drawing the defense in before kicking to the perimeter. Defensively, Barnes was a menace for 94 feet, using his size and lateral quickness to cover large amounts of ground, pushing opponents off their spot as a point-of-attack defender and contesting shots with his length. He posted 17 points, 11 assists and 7 rebounds Wednesday, and is likely to make either an All-NBA or All-Defense team. Expect Toronto to continue to lean on him heavily at home in Game 6 as an offensive hub and defensive anchor.

Depth Proves Crucial as Cavs' Bench Outshines Starters

Game 5 was dedicated to the “other guys” with 36 bench points for the Cavs, underscoring the ineffectiveness of Jarrett Allen and Mitchell but highlighting the importance of depth at this time of the year. Cleveland has a variety of options when names like Harden and Evan Mobley head to the bench: Schröder’s experience, poise and shotmaking led to 19 points; Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson combined to shoot 4-of-6 from 3; and toughness from Dean Wade was crucial. Schröder had produced a fairly underwhelming series through the first four games, averaging just 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting only 38.9% from the floor and 12.5% from 3-point range. However, his performance in a big moment on Wednesday may have in itself vindicated Cleveland's decision to acquire him, alongside fellow guard Keon Ellis, in a mid-season trade that sent De'Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings.

Schröder's Rocky Road to Cleveland

When Golden State acquired Schröder from the Brooklyn Nets in December 2024, they were hopeful he'd deliver the type of performances that would assist them in making the playoffs. Instead, Schröder and the Warriors failed to mesh, leading to his exit in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade less than two months later. Schröder appeared in just 24 games with Golden State, averaging 10.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists in over 26 minutes. While those numbers don't sound terrible, it was still a hard watch as Schröder shot only 37.5% from the floor while holding the worst plus-minus on the team. This isn't the first time Schröder has been able to provide playoff impact for one of his 11 different teams, but the Warriors weren't one of them during a period both player and franchise would prefer to forget. Now with the Cavaliers, he has a chance to rewrite his postseason narrative.

What Lies Ahead: Game 6 in Toronto

Cleveland heads to Toronto for Game 6 with a chance to close out the series, but the Raptors have proven they can compete. Brandon Ingram left Game 5 after 11 minutes with heel inflammation, and his status for Game 6 is uncertain. If Ingram is limited or absent, Toronto will rely even more heavily on Barnes and the rest of their roster. For the Cavaliers, the key will be consistency from their stars and continued contributions from the bench. Schröder's emergence as a reliable scoring option could be the difference-maker in a series that has been tighter than many expected. With Harden and Mitchell leading the way, Cleveland has the firepower to advance, but they must prove they can handle Toronto's size and defensive pressure on the road.

The bottom line

• Dennis Schröder's 19-point performance, including 11 in the fourth quarter, was pivotal in Cleveland's Game 5 win.
• James Harden remains the offensive focal point for the Cavs, scoring 23 points and controlling the tempo.
• Scottie Barnes continues to establish himself as a premier two-way player, posting 17 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds.
• Cleveland's bench depth, with 36 points, compensated for struggles from starters Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell.
• Schröder's mid-season trade from Golden State to Cleveland has paid off in the playoffs, despite his earlier struggles with the Warriors.
• The Cavaliers lead the series 3-2 and can advance with a win in Game 6 in Toronto.