CHICAGO – In a sense, Mavericks center Daniel Gafford is coming off three straight perfect games, shooting a combined 19 of 19 from the field.
In Gafford’s opinion, however, on Saturday night in Detroit, “I kind of took a step forward” — 17 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in Dallas’ 18-point victory.
Gafford said he focused on physicality from the start of the game, although getting whistled for two fouls in the first 4:56 wasn’t ideal. He said he was quicker to make defensive calls and got to the right spots earlier and more consistently.
“We’re the No. 30 defensive team and we’re trying to dig ourselves out of this hole,” he said. “Ultimately, it starts with me. I’m like the quarterback on the back end. No one knows what’s going on behind them, so I have to make sure everyone is in the right place at the right time.
Gafford spoke after the Mavericks’ Sunday practice at Wintrust Arena in preparation for Monday night’s game against the Chicago franchise that drafted him 38th overall in 2019.
Joining the Mavericks on Sunday was Gafford’s replacement, rookie Derek Lively II, who missed the win against Detroit for personal reasons. Dallas (36-28) will therefore be back at full strength at center as it attempts to extend its modest winning streak to three.
This will be Gafford’s 13th game since being acquired from Washington, his fifth start and third in a row.
Dallas was 4-0 when Gafford started, although it should be noted that three of the casualties were the lowest-scoring NBA teams: Detroit, Washington and San Antonio.
However, it’s clear to see why coach Jason Kidd placed Gafford in the starting lineup. In his starts, Gafford is averaging 13.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 24 of 32 shooting (75%) in 23 minutes per game. Obviously, Luka Doncic likes having Gafford as a pick-and-roll partner and lob threat.
“It’s a beast out there,” Doncic said. “He also helps us a lot in defense. He is our protector. He protects everyone. And he did a great job.
With seven minutes left against Detroit, it was the opposite, as Gafford’s teammates became his protector. Knocked down from behind by Jalen Duren, Gafford hadn’t even gotten up before PJ Washington pushed Duren. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr. quickly joined in the brief skirmish.
“That’s something I always appreciate about any team I’ve played on,” Gafford said. “The guys are always there for me because at the end of the day, I try to do the same for them.”
Dallas is Gafford’s third team in six NBA seasons, but it’s the first time he’s been on a team with a winning record this late in the season.
The 2019-20 Bulls, for whom rookie Gafford played 43 games, finished 22-43. The following season, the Chicago team was 19-24 when, in a three-team trade with Boston and the Wizards, Gafford was sent to a 15-27 Washington team.
Kidd noted that several key Mavericks, including Gafford and Washington Jr., are not used to being on a team that is among the hunted, not among the hunters.
“The mentality I always come to games with is that the next game is the important game, kind of like a playoff mindset,” Gafford said. “Every match will be a playoff match for me. No matter how I play this game, I try to be the best I can be at my caliber and how far my career will go.
Gafford’s only playoff experience came in the season in which he was traded to Washington, when the Wizards (34-38) became a No. 8 seed and lost 4-1 in the first round against Philadelphia.
Gafford was only 22 years old. He played in all five games in the series, starting two, averaging 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds.
“I got a good taste of it,” he said. “Now I just have to find a way to get back into it.” In the situation I’m in right now, I have to make sure I do my part to help us get to the playoffs.
