Dereck Lively II Throws Block Party in Mavs Win Over Raptors: 'Protected Us All Night'
Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II has been a godsend to a roster that desperately needed rim protection over the last several years. Though 41 games played, the 20-year-old big man is averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 25.1 minutes while shooting an eye-popping 74.3 percent from the field.
Now that the Mavs have provided Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving and Lively with even more frontcourt support with the trade additions of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, games with several blocks could become a common occurrence.
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On Wednesday, following a gut-wrenching loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at the buzzer, the Mavs bounced back in a big way with a 136-125 win over the Toronto Raptors on a second night of a back-to-back. Doncic notched a 30-point triple-double on his 25th birthday, and Irving pitched in with 29 points of his own, but it was Lively who led the Mavs' block party in Toronto, finishing with nine points on 4-4 shooting, four rebounds, two steals and five blocks.
“He was incredible," Washington said of Lively's performance. "He protected us all night on that end. Being able to have a guy like that down low, and even D. Gaff. Blocking shots on our team is really good for them, and I’m just glad they’re on our team.”
Washington, who started at the four next to Lively, had his best offensive performance as a member of the Mavs, finishing with 23 points on 9-16 shooting, six rebounds and three blocks. Gafford added to the fun by coming off the bench and putting up 13 points on 6-7 shooting, seven rebounds, one steal and one block in 25 minutes.
Now that Lively knows he has significant defensive support behind him, he doesn't have to worry as much about getting in foul trouble, and that frees him up to be more aggressive when trying to block shots. The Mavs have now won eight of their last 10 games, and if it hadn't been for a Max Strus miracle game-winner on Tuesday night, it would be nine out of 10.
If the Mavs keep up this level of play on the defensive end, they will live up to the title contender hype that has been given to them by the national media lately. With a big road game coming up against the best team in the league, the Boston Celtics, on Friday, there will be no better opportunity for Dallas to go from being viewed as a dark-horse title contender to a full-blown one.
