San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Gobert implies gambling is league-wide issue
CLEVELAND — Rudy Gobert's money gesture toward an official likely will draw the NBA's wrath.
Minnesota's center said his reaction was worth every penny.
Gobert was called for a technical foul in the closing seconds of regulation Friday night in the Timberwolves' 113-104 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers when he rubbed his fingers together several times, implying referee Scott Foster might be on the take.
After being whistled for his sixth foul and being ejected, Gobert stayed on the floor and made the gesture as Foster was going to the scorer's table. Foster didn't see Gobert, but official Natalie Sago did and issued the technical on Gobert.
Following the game, Gobert, who has a reputation for being outspoken, didn't deny what he did and went further in saying gambling could be having a major impact on the outcome of games.
“I'll bite the bullet again,” Gobert said. “I'll be the bad guy. I'll take the fine, but I think it's hurting our game. I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn't feel that way.”
Gobert's actions and remarks almost certainly will be reviewed by the league. He faces a possible fine and suspension.
His technical allowed the Cavaliers to tie the game.
Minnesota assistant Micah Nori, who filled in when Timberwolves coach Chris Finch fell ill just before tipoff, was
critical of Gobert's behavior.
“A technical foul with 27 seconds in the game, to be honest, is unacceptable,” Nori said. “That's who Rudy is, but you've got to be smart. He made a visual that was automatic. He was obviously frustrated — both teams were — but we have to be smarter.”
As far as Gobert was concerned, the officiating crew was bad the entire game.
“It's not just one call,” he said. “Everyone makes mistakes, but when it's over and over and over again, of course it's frustrating.”
Pacers’ Mathurin done for season
Indiana guard Bennedict Mathurin will
have surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder and will miss the rest of the season.
The Pacers said Saturday that the procedure will be performed next week in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Mathurin was averaging 14.5 points in his second NBA season. He was the MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star weekend, which was played in Indianapolis.
Russell’s 44 helps Lakers top Bucks
D'Angelo Russell scored 21 of his seasonhigh 44 points in the fourth quarter and hit a go-ahead jumper with 5.9 seconds to play as host Los Angeles overcame LeBron James' injury
absence for a 123-122 victory over Milwaukee on Friday night.
Spencer Dinwiddie blocked Damian Lillard's step-back jumper right before the buzzer to preserve a stirring win for the Lakers while James sat out to rest his sore left ankle, missing his ninth game of the season overall due to the persistent injury.
Los Angeles was carried by Russell, who tied his career high with nine 3-pointers while also handing out nine assists in a spectacular performance.
Thunder storm back, top Heat
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 of his 37 points in the second half as Oklahoma City overcame a 14-point deficit to beat visiting Miami 107100 and take the Western Conference lead on Friday.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 13-of-25 field goals and 9-of-11 free throws. The NBA's No. 2 scorer was greeted with “M-V-P!
M-V-P!” chants when he went to the line in the fourth quarter as he helped Oklahoma City take control. The Thunder moved a half-game ahead of Minnesota for the West lead, with the Timberwolves falling in OT at Cleveland.