Watch Rudy Gobert earn a costly technical foul for making a money gesture at ref Scott Foster… as Timberwolves center gives Cavs lifeline to win in overtime
- Rudy Gobert rubbed his fingers together after a foul against Cleveland
- And the gesture earned the Cavs a free throw, tying the game late
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert helped the Cavs in a big way Friday night when he earned a money sign from referee Scott Foster — and gave Cleveland a crucial free throw in the process.
After being fouled for a charge with 27 seconds left, Gobert rubbed his fingers together and made the money sign to indicate Foster was taking. The Timberwolves were up by one at the time.
Foster didn’t see the gesture, but official Natalie Sago did and tagged Gobert, allowing Darius Garland to make a technical free throw to tie the score at 97.
Minnesota had one last chance in regulation, but Anthony Edwards’ baseline jumper at the horn was off and Cleveland went on to win 113-104 in overtime.
Gobert admitted he was wrong to make the gesture.
Rudy Gobert received a costly technical foul on Friday evening after making a money gesture
The gesture was noticed by official Natalie Sago and the Cavs finished with a huge free throw
“My response, which I think was the truth, but it wasn’t the time to respond that way,” he said. ‘It cost my team the match. It was an immature response. It’s not just one phone call. Everyone makes mistakes, but if it happens over and over again, it is of course frustrating.’
And Minnesota assistant Micah Nori, who had to replace the ailing Chris Finch, was also disappointed and dissatisfied with the center.
“A technical foul with 27 seconds left in the match is quite frankly unacceptable,” Nori said.
‘That’s Rudy, but you have to be smart. He created a visual image that happened automatically. He was clearly frustrated – both teams were – but we have to be smarter.”
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) finished with 34 points in the overtime win
Gobert finished with seven points and 17 rebounds in 37 minutes.
Garland scored 34 points and Jarrett Allen added a career-high 33 and 18 rebounds in the win.
Allen scored 10 points in overtime as the Cavs defeated the Timberwolves 16-7 to win their eighth consecutive game against a Western Conference team.
It was Cleveland’s second win in four days against one of the league’s elite teams.
On Tuesday, the Cavs rallied from 22 points down in the fourth quarter to stun the East-leading Boston Celtics.