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Minnesota Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert has been slapped with a big fine from the NBA after insinuating to officials that he believed they had a sports bet on the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With less than 30 seconds left in a tight game, where the Timberwolves led the Cavs 97-96, Gobert was called for a foul, which was his sixth of the night. Gobert fouled out of the game, and he did not like Scott Foster\u2019s call.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As he was walking off the court, Gobert rubbed his fingers together, suggesting money was on the game by the referees.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert reacts after fouling out during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.<\/span> (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe demonstration was something the league did not like, and now it goes beyond the technical foul Gobert was assessed. The league announced Gobert was fined $100,000 for making the gesture.<\/p>\n
“The fine takes into account Gobert\u2019s past instances of conduct detrimental to the NBA with regard to publicly criticizing the officiating,” NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The worst part was the technical foul ultimately led the Cavs to tie the game, and Cleveland ended up winning, 113-104.\u00a0<\/p>\n
T-WOLVES’ ANTHONY EDWARDS SMASHES HEAD ON RIM DURING NASTY GAME-WINNING BLOCKED SHOT<\/strong><\/p>\nGobert spoke to reporters postgame, and he doubled down on his belief that betting is destructive to the game.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019ll bite the bullet again,” Gobert said on Friday. “I\u2019ll be the bad guy. I\u2019ll take the fine, but I think it\u2019s hurting our game. I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn\u2019t feel that way.<\/p>\n
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Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert dunks during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.<\/span> (Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n“My reaction, which I think was the truth, but it wasn\u2019t the time to react that way. It cost my team the game. It was an immature reaction. It\u2019s not just one call. Everyone makes mistakes, but when it\u2019s over and over and over again, of course it\u2019s frustrating.”<\/p>\n
Micah Nori, who was filling in for Chris Finch as acting head coach, did not like Gobert\u2019s actions in the moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“A technical foul with 27 seconds in the game, to be honest, is unacceptable,” said Timberwolves assistant head coach Micah Nori, who was filling in for an ill Chris Finch. “That\u2019s who Rudy is, but you\u2019ve got to be smart. He made a visual that was automatic. He was obviously frustrated \u2014 both teams were \u2014 but we have to be smarter.”<\/p>\n
Gobert, the front-runner for NBA Defensive Player of the Year, left the game with seven points and 17 rebounds for the No. 2 team in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n
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