Rudy Gobert Accuses The NBA Of Blatantly Trying To Help The Suns, Warriors, And Kings Win Games

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With each passing day the race out West gets tighter and tighter when it comes to the 4-12 seeds. Just typing that out on March 30th is a little crazy because normally by this time things are relatively set, especially when you're talking about the top 6. One quick look at the standings entering tonight's games tells you that is certainly not the case

Given how close everything still is, every game matters for each of these teams. I suppose that's the beauty of the Play In tournament, that even at this point of the year the majority of the conference can't rest guys and punt games. 

Last night we had PHX/MIN in a massive game for both sides. The Suns got KD back (and still haven't lost when he plays) and the Wolves are scratching and clawing their way to keep pace with GS and potentially pass them into the top 6. One loss may end up being the difference with this race, which is why last night was so important. 

For the majority of this games, things were fairly even. The Wolves had a 3 point lead at the half (51-48) the FT numbers were basically even (5 vs 7), KAT was going nuts for the Wolves (20 points) and Booker was leading the Suns (12 points). It looked like we were in for a great second half/finish.

Unfortunately for the Wolves, things took a bit of a change over the final 24 minutes. The Wolves lost the 3rd quarter 33-23, and the FTA difference suddenly skyrocketed to 13-4 in favor of PHX. Booker took 10 by himself, and they accounted for 8 of his 12 points in that quarter. In the 4th quarter, the Suns once again took 2x the FTA (7-3) in a quarter they two teams tied. Ultimately, the Suns won the final 24 minutes by 10 points which means they won the game by 7, which included a 20-7 FTA difference in the second half. That's pretty tough to stomach for the Wolves who were on the road, and they sure made it known how they felt after the game

Hard to argue Chris Finch's points here. It may not have been the sole reason why the outcome ended up being what it was, but it certainly played a factor. 

Then we got to Rudy Gobert

Yeah, that's going to cost him some money. I'm pretty sure the NBA frowns upon suggesting the league fixes games to get certain teams into the playoffs, even if deep down we all know Rudy is right on some level. There's no way the NBA would prefer the Wolves in the playoffs over the Suns/Warriors/Lakers etc. I know people hate Rudy Gobert, but when you see a play like this called a foul on him

On what planet is that an offensive foul? You can't tell me any other center in the league has this called a foul. Embiid? Jokic? Giannis? No chance. 

Listen, I don't love sticking up for Rudy Gobert, but it's hard to argue their point. The same way it was hard to argue Monty Williams' point when he said the same shit after the Lakers game

My guess is he had no problems with the whistle last night, but that's how it goes in the NBA. When you're on the wrong end of a game like this, it's a problem. When the whistle is in your favor, nobody says anything. Both the Wolves and the Suns took the same amount of shots in the paint in the second half last night (22), yet the foul difference was 18-11, which lead to a final FTA difference of 27-12. You can understand why maybe the Wolves were a little pissed, given how important the game was and how much was on the line.

Unfortunately for them, if they think things are going to get better, let's not forget who they play next. The Lakers. That's right, these Lakers

I'm also pretty sure NBA refs don't like when you call them out. Remember Fred VanVleet? If you so much as agreed with his overall premise after that rant, you were a target. That's why the Wolves need to be careful here. Things are so close to the point where if they drop a few games down the stretch, they could find themselves in the lottery. The last thing you want to do is put that power in the hands of the officials, and quotes like that certainly aren't going to do you any favors. As we know, NBA refs get in their feelings when they are publicly called out and then they take it out on the players during games. It's happened all year to every team in the league.

But don't tell Adam Silver he has an officiating problem or anything. He doesn't give a shit.