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James Harden summed up the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Game 5 victory in one word after a 125-120 comeback win over the Toronto Raptors: “Everything.” The Cavaliers now lead the first-round series 3-2.
“Everything. Especially in that fourth quarter, just controlling the paint and rebounding the basketball,” Harden said after the win at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
He pointed to execution on both ends as the turning point late in the game. “We talked so much over the past 24 hours just about the mental aspect of games like this, the composure that it takes down the stretch.”
Cleveland entered the fourth quarter trailing, but responded with a decisive stretch on both ends. “I think we handled it better. We still can be better, but I think we handled it better than we did previously. So, good win for us.”
Harden also shifted attention to the next matchup quickly. “Now we got another opportunity on Friday.”
One of the biggest stories of the night was Dennis Schroder’s fourth-quarter impact, which drew strong praise from the veteran guard. “Amazing. Amazing. Like his preparation, his work,” Harden said.
“He continues to work. He continues to go out there and be a professional,” he added. “Happy for him and happy for our team.”
Turnovers were another focus point after Cleveland’s uneven stretches earlier in the series. Harden kept the solution simple. “Give Dennis the ball.”
He expanded on the adjustment. “First half there was a couple opportunities, especially my turnovers,” he said. “We do a better job of not turning the basketball over and getting shots on the glass and it helps our defense.”
Asked about in-game flow and decision-making, Harden emphasized adaptability. “Depends. Just depends on the game,” he said. “He had it going. Our team had it going. It was a great team effort in that fourth quarter.”
Cleveland’s late surge was built on execution rather than individual scoring runs. “Everything,” Harden repeated when asked what it takes on the road in a playoff closeout scenario. “Rebounding the basketball, we did a better job of that.”
He also addressed Evan Mobley’s response after earlier struggles in the series. “He’s a professional. He works his butt off,” Harden said. “He’s been in the gym working on his game and in the weight room.”
As the series shifts back to Toronto, Harden emphasized consistency over momentum swings. “Great team win for us. I think everybody contributed in their own way and we’re going to need that going forward.”
