The 13-15 Minnesota Timberwolves need to start winning games. They’ll face the beatable 11-17 Oklahoma City Thunder, but they have multiple starters on their injury report, including center Rudy Gobert. The big man picked up a questionable tag for an ankle injury. His absence would carry significant consequences for the NBA betting markets, and bettors looking for an edge should heed this advice or check out the OddsShopper tools for sharp NBA bets.
Is Rudy Gobert Playing on Friday?
The Timberwolves designated both Gobert and point guard D’Angelo Russell as questionable on the team’s injury report last night. The Timberwolves are yet to release an update about either player, and the former Defensive Player of the Year’s status remains uncertain.
Minnesota @Timberwolves Status Report in advance of tomorrow’s game at Oklahoma City:
QUESTIONABLE
Gobert – Left Ankle Sprain
Russell – Left Knee ContusionOUT
McLaughlin – Left Calf Strain
Prince – Right Shoulder Subluxation
Towns – Right Calf Strain— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) December 15, 2022
Gobert told reporters on Wednesday that he thought he would be “all right” for Friday night’s game. Tonight’s matchup with the Thunder is the last stop of a five-game west-coast swing for the Timberwolves. After winning the opener against Utah, the Timberwolves dropped the next three. Fortunately, they’ll return home for a matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Sunday — but they’ll have to play the Dallas Mavericks right afterward on Monday.
If the Timberwolves have genuine concerns about Gobert’s health, look for them to rest the star big man before playing next week’s grueling back-to-back set. However, their uninspiring record and lack of depth may force Minnesota into starting Gobert regardless of those concerns. Karl-Anthony Towns is already out along with power forward Taurean Price.
If Rudy Gobert Sits, Who Benefits?
Gobert’s absence would likely thrust Naz Reid into the starting lineup at the five. Jaden McDaniels might have to shift from the three to the four for some minutes. Kyle Anderson would continue to pick up most of the work at the four spot, which he has done since Towns went down, but Nathan Knight and Luka Garza would likely have to play more than usual behind him.
Of those five players, Reid would benefit the most in DFS. Anderson and McDaniels would likely get a boost in rebounding in scoring, while neither Knight nor Garza would see the floor enough to contribute much on either end. Anthony Edwards could also become a worthy target in DFS and on betting markets as one of the few remaining starters for Minnesota.
Timberwolves-Thunder Betting Tip
The Timberwolves are already 2.5-point underdogs for tonight’s contest. The Oklahoma City Thunder are often a sharp bet because of the extra points the books will give them, but they’re not worth targeting when favored. The Thunder are just 4-4 against the spread as a favorite since last year.
Instead, bettors should look to the player prop markets to target Oklahoma City’s successful interior scorers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey both take plenty of shots close to the rim, and Gobert sitting out would make their lives much easier.
