East Conf. Semis: Cleveland Cavaliers 113-112 Toronto Raptors [OT] - 5 Talking Points

Cleveland Cavaliers v Toronto Raptors - Game One
Cleveland Cavaliers v Toronto Raptors - Game One

#4 Cavaliers' role players led a comeback in the 2nd quarter

Cleveland Cavaliers v Toronto Raptors - Game One
#32 Jeff Green

The likes of Jordan Clarkson, JR Smith, Kyle Korver and George Hill were big components of the Cavaliers' impressive fightback during the 2nd quarter. The Cavs won the quarter quite handily - by a margin of 38-27, and this was made possible by their role players who stepped up in a manner hitherto unseen in the playoffs.

The quarter didn't start off in that fashion, though. The Raptors' bench mob held on to the lead from the first quarter for over 5 minutes of the quarter, as the Cavs called a timeout with the score at 44-32 in favor of the Raps. Clarkson was given free reign to move into iso mode, and he got a couple of buckets, but there wasn't much more that the Cavs were able to do as a team.

At this point, LeBron came back into the game, and he helped to steady the ship with a couple of vintage plays from the low post. Kyle Korver got hot right then, as he nailed 2 rhythm 3-pointers. JR got into the act as well, making a couple of threes of his own. By the end of the quarter, their scores stood at 60-57, and the game was well and truly balanced at that point.

Quick Links