In the first two games in LA, Gafford had cumulative totals of just three points, one rebound, one blocked shot and was 1-of-7 from the field. But during Friday’s 101-90 victory over the Clippers in Game 3 at American Airlines Center, a much more aggressive Gafford had six points, three rebounds and was 3-of-4 from the field – in the game’s first six minutes.
“I thought he was great,” coach Jason Kidd said. “Bounce back from being able to offensive rebound and finish, and then defensively at the rim I thought he was really good for us.
“He protected the paint. Just understanding he played a really good game and he helped our defense at a high level.”
And helping the Mavs’ defense at a high level was Gafford’s intentions after he struggled with back and foul issues in Games 1 and 2.
“In all honesty, I just felt that I could do a lot better when it came to it,” Gafford said. “In Game 1, I got hit in the mouth. In Game 2, my back almost gave out on me and I was really like, “Either we’re going to sit this one out and let the back rest, or are we going to get the back to where it feels like it’s at 100 percent and go out and just have a good.’
“(I wanted to) come out, for sure, with the energy that I wanted to come out with was just throwing the first punch. Just trying to throw that first punch to set the tone was like the main message that I wanted to just get across with the team, and just come out and have fun with the crowd, too.”
Indeed, it was as if Gafford was playing with a chip on his shoulders, and as if he thought his reputation for being a paint protector and a robo-rebounder was at stake. He set a very nice tone for the Mavs early on, and they followed his lead.
“That’s what we need every night,” forward Derrick Jones Jr. said. “We need that energy from the get-go. That energy
