CLEVELAND – Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert suggested sports betting could affect how NBA referees officiate games, after reviewing one technical with 27.8 seconds left in Friday’s final overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Gobert called for a sixth whistle and Minnesota was down by one point, and responded by flashing the money sign with both hands — like Johnny Manziel in the end zone. Referee Natalie Sago saw him in action, slapped him with a technical and sent Cleveland’s Darius Garland to the line to tie the game at 97.
The Cavs won 113-104.
“My reaction, what I think is true — what I really believe — is true, but there was no time to react that way,” Gobert said. “I shouldn’t have done that. I charged my team the game, and they clearly couldn’t wait to give me the technology. That was bad. That was an immature response.”
“I made some mistakes,” Gobert said when asked to explain his beliefs. I gave birth to a dwarf. Mistakes happen. Judges make mistakes too. But sometimes I think it’s more than mistakes. I think everybody in this league knows that. I think it needs to be improved.
Gobert said in his comments that he faces punishment for being “a bad guy who says what I think is the truth.”
But he said he felt compelled to speak his mind, saying, “I think it’s hurting our game.”
“I know the stakes and it’s getting bigger and bigger, but I shouldn’t feel like that,” Gobert said.
Gobert’s sixth foul was a loose ball violation called on him as he and Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen got stuck under the Timberwolves’ basket and struggled to pass a miss by Anthony Edwards. Earlier in the game, they jabbed Gobert Allen in the ribs and were called for an offensive foul. Officials upgraded it to a Flagrant Foul-1 penalty after video review.
The Cavs had a chance to win in regulation when Garland made a free throw following Gobert’s money sign, but Naz Reed blocked Garland’s 3-point attempt. Edwards, playing with several minor injuries, threw up an airball and the game went into overtime, where the Cavs took control in the extra period.
“I thought the game was called the same way — I think both teams were a little frustrated, but that’s basketball,” said Minnesota assistant coach Micah Norrie, who filled in for coach Chris Finch (illness).
Norrie called Gobert’s late-game technical “unacceptable” on Gobert’s part.
“We just have to be smart,” Nori said. “I think it worked visually or something, it’s kind of automatic. And we all know Rudin. No one is more professional than him. In that moment, for him to do that, he obviously feels terrible about it. We have to be a little better.
According to Gobert, this is not the first time he has expressed his displeasure with the appointment. He has made critical comments several times throughout his career, including last season.
Last March, after a loss to Phoenix, Gobert said, “I’ve been in this league for 10 years and I always try to give the benefit of the doubt, but it’s hard for me to think that they’re not trying to help[the Suns]win tonight.” It’s hard for me to think that they didn’t try to help the Warriors or (Sacramento Kings) win the other night. It is very clear. As a long-time basketball player in the league, it’s disrespectful and quite sad, frankly.
Sports betting is legal in 38 states, including Ohio, where there is a brick-and-mortar sportsbook at Rockets Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, operated by Caesars. The NBA, like other major American pro sports, has embraced fans betting on its games, and announced that DraftKings and FanDuel will be its two official sports betting partners in 2021.
The league office did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.
Allen scored 33 points, including going 15 of 21 from the free throw line, and Garland poured in 34 points. Reid scored a career-best 34 points off the bench and tied a career-high with seven 3s for the Wolves, who were playing their second game since star Karl-Anthony Towns went down with a torn meniscus. Edwards, a game-saving block and a viral headbutt at the rim, scored 19 points on a night but shot 7-of-27.
The loss dropped the Timberwolves (44-20) to second place in the Western Conference, a half game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder (44-19). The Cavs (41-22) are in a tight race with Milwaukee for second place in the East.
It is necessary to read
(Photo: Ken Blaise / USA Today)