- Rudy Gobert rubbed his fingers after fouling against Cleveland
- And the gesture gave the Cavs a free throw to tie the game late.
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The Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert helped the Cavs tremendously on Friday night when he made a money signal to referee Scott Foster, giving Cleveland a crucial free throw in the process.
After fouling out with 27 seconds left for an offensive push, Gobert rubbed his fingers together and made the money sign to imply that Foster was taking the money. The Timberwolves were up by one at the time.
Foster didn’t see the gesture, but official Natalie Sago did and gave a pass to Gobert, allowing Darius Garland to make a technical free throw to tie the game at 97.
Minnesota had one last chance in regulation, but Anthony Edwards’ jumper at the buzzer missed and Cleveland ended up winning 113-104 in overtime.
Gobert admitted he was wrong to make the gesture.
Rudy Gobert earned a costly technical foul after making a money gesture Friday night.
The gesture was noticed by official Natalie Sago and the Cavs finished with a huge free throw.
“My reaction, I think it was the truth, but it wasn’t the time to react that way,” he said. “It cost my team the game. It was an immature reaction. It’s not just a call. “Everyone makes mistakes, but when they are repeated over and over again, of course it is frustrating.”
And Minnesota assistant Micah Nori, filling in for an ill Chris Finch, was also disappointed and displeased with the center.
“To be honest, a technical foul with 27 seconds left is unacceptable,” Nori said.
‘That’s Rudy, but you have to be smart. He made an image that was automatic. Obviously he was frustrated, both teams were, but we have to be smarter.”
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) finished with 34 points in overtime victory
Gobert finished with seven points and 17 rebounds in 37 minutes.
Garland scored 34 points and Jarrett Allen added 33 and a career-high 18 rebounds in the win.
Allen scored 10 points in overtime and the Cavs outscored the Timberwolves 16-7 and won their eighth straight 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 a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter to upset the East-leading Boston Celtics.