Daniel Gafford is a defensive specialist for the Mavericks. For 90 seconds to start the third quarter, he was an offensive force.
Technically, Gafford’s big run came in the final minute of the first half. He scored the last two Dallas points of the second quarter and then six of their first eight points in the third.
Perhaps it was due to Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert both playing with three fouls. Perhaps the Timberwolves defense was overplaying to stop Luka Doncic, who had 17 first-half points. But for a short period of time as the Mavericks try to close out the Wolves, Gafford looked like Wilt Chamberlain.
That’s who Gafford approached in the record books this season, falling just short of Chamberlain’s record by making 33 straight shots from the field. For the conference finals, Gafford is shooting 19-of-27. That’s impressive, but not quite as impressive as his teammate Dereck Lively II, who is 13-of-13 from the field.
Still, the Mavericks will consider the offense from Gafford a bonus. especially if he keeps blocking shots.
With Towns picking up five fouls in the first 31 minutes, Dallas may see more Gafford dunks the rest of the way. Move over, Wilt the Stilt!