The latest Rudy Gobert injury update has come out, and that means it’s time for bettors to ask themselves: Is Gobert playing?
The 16-15 Minnesota Timberwolves have been without their star centers, Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, for the last three games. However, they are a solid 3-0 through that stretch. While Gobert’s absence would carry significant consequences for the NBA betting markets, the Wolves are showing some life without their big offseason investment. Bettors looking for an edge should heed this advice or check out the OddsShopper tools for sharp NBA bets.
Rudy Gobert Injury Update – NBA Betting Impact
Gobert has missed Minnesota’s last three games with a left ankle sprain. He first sat against the Oklahoma City Thunder last Friday and missed both legs of a home-and-home earlier this week. The Wolves have another home game in this spot, and Gobert remains questionable for this evening’s matchup. While the star big man will return eventually, the Wolves may opt to hold him out again after beating the Mavericks on Monday.
That said, the Wolves have looked good despite Gobert’s absence. They won all three of the games he missed, including a 10-point victory over the Mavericks on Monday night. Their rim defense hasn’t even fallen off — the Wolves have allowed 46.9 points in the paint per game this year but only gave up 41.3 in their last three games. Yet Minnesota was a 2.5-point home underdog to Dallas on Monday, and it is now a 3-point underdog in this evening’s rematch.
After the ‘is Rudy Gobert playing’ question is answered, who benefits if the answer is no?
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Minnesota’s head coach, Chris Finch, has inserted Naz Reid into the starting lineup in relief of Gobert. Reid played a whopping 40 minutes on Monday and racked up 27 points, 13 rebounds and a block. Power forward Kyle Anderson had to miss Monday’s game with back spasms but would also see an uptick in playing time if Gobert can’t go.
With Gobert, Minnesota has relied on Reid and Anthony Edwards. The duo combined for 80 points and rebounds against the Mavericks on Monday. Edwards has averaged 27.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in the three games that Gobert and Towns have missed.
Mavericks-Timberwolves DFS and NBA betting tips after the latest Rudy Gobert injury update
Should Gobert sit, as he did against the Mavericks on Monday, Reid and Edwards will continue to play massive roles for the Timberwolves. Reid must take the lead when it comes to protecting the rim and rebounding, while Edwards must continue to step up as a scorer. Unfortunately, the DFS and betting markets will likely price both players accordingly.
Bettors can find of a bit of a contrarian edge in pivoting onto Kyle Anderson if he plays. Anderson had racked up 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 1 block in Gobert’s first game out last Friday. He played 32 minutes in the win. Although Anderson doesn’t offer much appeal for sports bettors, his ability to generate stats in every category should put him on the radar for any avid DFS player.
