Cavs’ James Harden: ‘We’re extremely confident’

It’s safe to say not everyone is pleased with how things have gone for the Cavaliers.

That probably includes the Cavaliers.

The series against the Raptors is tied 2-all entering Wednesday’s Game 5 in Cleveland (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

The Cavs, as has been repeated in this very space quite often, blew an eight-point lead with about five minutes left in Game 4.

Toronto was pretty bad in that game. And still won.

But narratives, talk radio and sports blogs don’t determine the outcome of playoff series. Players do.

And from the sounds of things, the Cavs players have maintained their sense of belief — even if the so-called pundits have not. 

“If (the Raptors) were doing something we didn’t understand or couldn’t control, then it’d be a different conversation,” James Harden told reporters at practice. “But I think everything we’re doing is self-inflicted.”

Harden admitted his own turnovers have been a problem, suggesting it’s an issue he can easily correct. A lot of times, turnovers at any level are the result of a lack of focus, or perhaps trying to make a spectacular play when a simple one will do.

If nothing else, the Cavs say they’ve identified the problem areas. They believe they’re capable of correcting them.

“We’re extremely confident,” Harden said. “This series is just getting started basically. Game 5 is an opportunity to take advantage of the series.”

That last part is true for both teams.

“They protected home court, and now it’s our job to do the same,” Donovan Mitchell said after the Game 4 loss.

So, yes, it’s best-of-three now. The Cavs still believe they can end it in two.