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Cleveland Cavaliers cure third-quarter woes in Game 5 win over Indiana Pacers

The Cleveland Cavaliers cured their third-quarter woes in a 98-95 Game 5 win over the Indiana Pacers at Quicken Loans Arena.
Credit: David Richard
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives against Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young (21) in the third quarter in Game 5 of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena.

CLEVELAND -- Third quarters proved to be quite the challenge for the Cleveland Cavaliers through the first four games of the best-of-seven opening-round series against the Indiana Pacers, but after a slow start to Game 5, they found their rhythm on both ends of the floor after halftime.

The Cavaliers forced seven turnovers and held the Pacers to 31.2 percent shooting from the field on the way to a plus-15 showing in the third quarter, which helped deliver them to a 98-95 victory and gave them a 3-2 lead in the series with a chance to close out the first round in Indianapolis Friday night.

“Our defense really picked up in the second half,” shooting guard JR Smith said. “We were going to score. Kyle was hitting shots, ‘Bron was scoring, obviously, Kev was getting what he was getting and J.C. really came in on a roll. We knew we had to step up defensively. It’s the only way we had a chance.”

Power forward Kevin Love added, “We talked about it at halftime, just coming out and just making a great effort and changing the script a little bit that we had in the past of coming out and having a pretty stagnant third quarter, so we felt we did a better job.”

Down by seven points heading into the second half of Game 5, the Cavaliers converted Indiana’s seven turnovers into nine points, which led to them having a 32-17 edge in third-quarter scoring.

The Cavaliers stole three passes and blocked one Indiana shot in the third quarter.

“Honestly, I don’t think we did anything different,” Smith said. “I think, if anything, we put more of an emphasis on our defense in that second half.

“The first half, they were moving too freely, getting pretty much whatever they wanted. T-Lue came in here and told us we had to play with more intensity. That was the first thing we tried to do on the switches, on the blitzes, just tried to be there early more than anything.”

Point guard Jose Calderon added, “I could say we changed something, but we did the same thing. We were just more aggressive. We made the shots right away. Maybe that helps you. They struggled a little bit, so I think it went the other way than the other three games. I think it was like we knew what we had to do. Maybe being down six, seven changed the mentality, but that’s all I could say.”

Credit: Gregory Shamus
Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard JR Smith reacts to a second-half defensive play against the Indiana Pacers in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at Quicken Loans Arena.

While happy with the results of the third quarter, and subsequently, the game, Calderon understands that it is necessary for the Cavaliers to put together a full game against the Pacers if they hope to close out the series in Indianapolis.

“If we can put all four quarters together, I think we’ll be in good shape, but it’s going to be another fight like tonight,” Calderon said. “We know what we have to do. That’s the more important part.

“That’s the key. I think it’s a team effort. It’s a team game. Offense, defense and we’ve got to help the guys out there. We know what we’ve got to do to help each other, and I think we’re doing it for the most part. We’ve got to play 48 one time.”

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