Game 64: Dallas Mavericks (35-28) vs. Detroit Pistons (10-52)

[soog]

It really seems like Luka trusts Gafford already.  He has good hands and has the strength to power up on non dunks.  He really goes after the ball in the air. 

https://youtu.be/JoSbaAz2PfI?si=_G1_DUdR7po9OaLu

The game was already decided but that block on Duren at the rim and then beating him down the court was a 4 point swing.   Hardaway had a look from three but made the nice pass.  In the past, that is probably a three point shot.  To eliminate a dunk and then get a dunk on the other end can be a sequence that turns a competitive game.

Don’t roast me for this, but I love the aggression that Gafford brings. He is constantly fighting for rebounds and making his presence felt. I think the Duren foul was committed out of frustration because of how dominant Gafford had been. So…. (This is the don’t roast me part)…

… I’d like to see Gafford keep his spot in the starting lineup even after Lively is back. Give them the same minutes sure, but I’d like to see Gafford start and finish games. He has an aggression and power that Lively just doesn’t have… yet.