Veteran Markus Morris Sr. gave Cavaliers big effort in Game 5 victory

CLEVELAND — Markus Morris Sr. was a high-priced spectator for the first four games of the best-of-seven playoff series against the Orlando Magic. Unfortunately, he didn't get any popcorn. Finally, Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff called his name. The 34-year-old played so well Tuesday he's almost certain to get the nod again as the first forward off the bench. The 6-foot-8, 235-pounder fired in 12 points and added three rebounds and one assist in 25 minutes. He converted 4-of-9 shots, including 2-of-5 3-pointers. Signed as an unrestricted free agent in March, Morris replaced Georges Niang in Bickerstaff's rotation. Niang was in a major funk offensively and a woeful 1-of-11 from behind the arc in the first four games of the series. He has managed just 14 points in the series — two more than Morris scored in Game 5. The Cavs grabbed a 3-2 edge in the hard-fought series with a 104-103 victory. Game 6 will be Friday at the Kia Center in Orlando. "This was the first time I haven't actually touched the floor, so it was a little hard just because I knew that I could help in some capacity," Morris said. The 13-year veteran from Kansas said he didn't know how he'd impact the series, whether it was with "physicality, being a veteran voice or whatever it was." He added he worked even harder on the practice court and returned at night to get up some shots to keep his head on straight. "I just kept working," Morris said. "It was good for me." Morris only appeared in 12 games with the Cavs during the regular season, as well as 37 with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 6.4 points. After being traded to San Antonio, he was waived and went home, where he waited for his phone to ring. It was about that time Bickerstaff said the Cavs "scoured the earth" trying to find a wing scorer. Bickerstaff had been a coach in Houston when Morris broke into the league in 2011 and thought the world of the veteran forward. "Marcus and I have had a relationship since his rookie year back in Houston, so we knew what he's capable of," Bickerstaff said after Game 5. "He's just a guy you trust, right? He's been through these battles before. He's tough as nails. He's not afraid of (anything), and he's got big courage like that shot he hit from the corner. A lot of guys wouldn't take that. They would've gone and tried to find something else, but he's been through it. There's not a lot he hasn't seen, so it was great for us to be able to go to him tonight." Morris has extensive playoff experience, appearing in 68 games with the Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons and now Cleveland. He's averaged 12.6 points and 5.1 rebounds. "(Some players) aren't willing to back it up," Bickerstaff said. "Marcus is willing to lay it on the line, and he has the courage to fight through whatever it may be: take the shot, make the pass, box out, whatever it is. When he talks, it's not lip service. People listen, and he's got that reputation and respect around the league." WATCH PARTY The Cavs will host a watch party at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for Game 6. A starting time has yet to be determined. Admission will be $5 via cavs.com/playoffs. Proceeds will benefit Cavaliers Community Foundation, which supports youth in Northeast Ohio. Arena doors will open one hour prior to tipoff. The game will be broadcast on the Humongotron. In-arena host Ahmaad Crump and mascots Moondog and Sir CC will be in the arena. Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.