Photo credit: Sports Illustrated
Rudy Gobert issues a major statement regarding the referees
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has raised concerns about the influence of sports betting on NBA referees' officiating decisions. His statement followed a technical foul assessed to him by a referee with 27.8 seconds remaining in regulation during the team's eventual overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
Gobert received his sixth foul, leading to his disqualification from the game while Minnesota held a one-point lead. In response, he gestured with both hands, flashing the money sign. Referee Natalie Sago observed the gesture and penalized Gobert with a technical foul, allowing Cleveland's Darius Garland to tie the game at 97 with a free throw.Ultimately, the Cavaliers emerged victorious with a final score of 113-104.
«I made some mistakes. I air-balled a dunk. Mistakes happen. Referees make mistakes, too. But sometimes I think it's more than mistakes. I think everyone that's in this league knows. I think it's got to get better.»
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Fully aware of the consequences of his gesture, he proceeded to say :
«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,»
Sports betting is authorized in 38 states, including Ohio, where a physical sportsbook is located at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, managed by Caesars. The NBA, along with other major professional sports leagues in the United States, has endorsed fan betting on its games. In 2021, the NBA announced DraftKings and FanDuel as its two official sports betting partners.
Source : The Athletic
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