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CLEVELAND, Ohio - Was your heart pounding? Were you fighting off a sense of doom? Did you fear the worst? If you follow the Cavs and heard Jarrett Allen (bruised ribs) wasn't playing for the Cavs Tuesday night, what did you think? Probably the same thing I did: OH, BOY … In their biggest game of the season, the player who has been the best player in this first-round playoff series was out with bruised ribs. After being embarrassed and overwhelmed in the last two games in Orlando, how were the Cavs supposed to win this critical Game 5? Well, win they did: Cavs 104, Orlando 103. Take a bow Evan Mobley, who blocked a Franz Wagner layup with 3.2 seconds left keep the Cavs in front, 102-100. Way to put 13 rebounds next to your name. Take a bow Donovan Mitchell, who scored 14 points in the fourth quarter. He did it the hard way, driving to the rim, getting fouled - picking himself off the court and making 9 of 10 free throws. Yes, all that was in the fourth quarter. Take a bow Max Strus, this is why the Cavs brought you to Cleveland. Playing off time, big-time shots and plays needed. Strus had only two points at the half. Late in the third quarter, he hit a couple of shots from 3-point range. He finished with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists. Take a bow, Darius Garland. You came out on fire, 17 points in the first quarter. The Cavs needed that spark, that sense of confidence after losing by a combined deficit of 61 points in the last two games in Orlando. Take a bow, Marcus Morris. That's right, Marcus Morris. The Cavs finally brought the veteran off the bench, and he delivered 12 points in 26 minutes. The Cavs were a plus-8 points with Morris on the court. Only Garland (plus-9) was better. Take a bow, J.B. Bickerstaff. Many fans were ready to write off the Cavs coach after the mess in Orlando. But Bickerstaff showed some creativity and more importantly, proved he still has the attention of the players. Fanatics Sportsbook10X$100 BONUS BETBET MATCH BONUS Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, KY ,MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV); (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); (800) 327-5050 or gamblinghelpline.org (MA), mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1800gambler.net (WV) Allen averaged 17 points and 13.8 rebounds in the four games. By far, he was the Cavs' most consistent player in this series. In the last three seasons, the Cavs were 18-27 when Allen didn't play, including 2-3 in 2023-24. Overall, they were 125-76 with him in the lineup. "When we're at our best, (Allen) is having a quiet impact … that people don't pay attention to," said Bickerstaff. "They don't call out his number. They don't talk about his defensive abilities. But he's the quiet glue that helps us all be better." In the two losses in Orlando, Mitchell averaged 15.5 points, shooting 37% from the field and was 2 of 10 on 3-pointers. "He's just got to be aggressive and the defense will dictate what he needs to do," Bickerstaff said. "If he's open, he needs to shoot the ball. If they decide to put two on him and try to take him away, he needs to pass the ball. It's that simple. The more aggressive he is, the more pressure he puts on their defense." He did just that, especially in the fourth quarter. "His 3-point shot ( 1 of 7) wasn't falling, but he found ways to get to the foul line and score," said Bickerstaff. After the game, Bickerstaff kept saying how Strus "only cares about winning" several times. He drew charges. His six rebounds tied Mitchell for second best on the team. Mobley had 13. And the Cavs now lead the best-of-seven series, 3-2. All the home teams have won so far. Game 6 is in Orlando Friday. The Cavs are back among the basketball living. They were fueled by the crowd and a sense of pride. Now they have a chance to win the first playoff series without LeBron James since 1993. If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700 or visit 1800gambler.net for more information. 21+ and present in Ohio. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE HOOPS HEROES
THIS WASN'T EASY
THEY NEEDED THEIR STAR