Daniel Gafford makes Maverick’s story in victory over pelicans

On By Littum

Dallas Mavericks handed down New Orleans Pelicans a loss of 137-136 on Wednesday night as Mavs picked up an important victory to start their five-game road trip. It did not come easily as the defense let the pelicans shoot 53.1% from the floor and 48.4% from three. But a few players stood out, including their emergency center.

Daniel Gafford is likely to be Dallas’ starting center for the rest of the regular season due to the stress fracture in Dereck Lively II’s ankle that could return to the playoffs. Forford came up big against the Pelicans on Wednesday and produced 22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 blocks on a perfect 9/9 shooting from the floor and 4/4 from the free-c-c-castle line.

This shooting performance put Daniel Gafford in Mavericks’ record books for most games in team history without missing out on a shot (minimum of nine shots tried). He also joined Lively and Deandre Jordan as the only players in the franchise history who have 20 points and 10 rebounds on perfect shooting, according to Mavericks per team.

Read more: 3 takeaways from Mavericks’ tight victory over Pelicans

Dallas Mavericks Center Daniel Gafford blocks a shot of New Orleans Pelicans Forward Zion Williamson

Dallas Maverick’s center Daniel Gafford blocks a shot of New Orleans Pelicans tip Zion Williamson during the first half of Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Misted Photos / Matthew Hinton-Preferred Photos

Dereck Lively II left early in January 14 Matchup against the Denver Nuggets, and although there was originally some optimism that he would not miss much time, a later study revealed a stress fracture in his ankle. Dwight Powell would exert his hip a few days later, and Maxi Kleber would break the foot a few days after that. Suddenly, Gafford was the only center that was healthy on the guard schedule.

But he is delivered in Lively’s absence, an average of 18.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg and 3.1 bpg while shooting 72.2% from the floor in his last nine games. His rebounding has really picked up, an average of 11.2 RPG over the last six games.

Gafford was part of the trade rumors before all the damage to the frontcourt, as he had not played well in a stretch in late December and early January, but Dallas only had to trade him for an elite wing defender. Now, almost strictly out of necessity, he has played away from the trade block and plays the best basketball in his NBA career.

Read more: Maverick’s X-Factor puts Career High in victory over Pelicans

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