Timberwolves vs. Lakers Tuesday play-in tournament odds: Spread jumps with Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels out for Minnesota

While most teams rested their starters on the final day of the NBA regular season Sunday, the Minnesota Timberwolves played their regulars at home against the New Orleans Pelicans in hope of finishing in eighth place in the Western Conference rather than ninth. It worked -- the Wolves did win, but now they will be without starting center Rudy Gobert and forward Jaden McDaniels for Tuesday's play-in tournament game at the Los Angeles Lakers. That spread opened at L.A. -5.5 and is up to -7.5 at Caesars Sportsbook with the news that Gobert will be suspended for the game after getting into an altercation with teammate Kyle Anderson.

Gobert, a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, was sent home at halftime of Sunday's game against the Pelicans after throwing a punch at Anderson on the sideline. Anderson started the second half in Gobert's stead.

Gobert tweeted an apology to the team, fans and Anderson after the game, saying Anderson "is someone that i truly love and respect as a teammate" but has been suspended for Tuesday. The French center had another fine season, averaging 13.4 points and 65.9% shooting, 11.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Minnesota was 8-4 without him this year.

The good news is that if Minnesota does lose in L.A., it would host on Friday the winner of the Pelicans-Thunder 9 vs. 10 game for the final playoff spot in the West. Gobert will presumably be cleared for that game. McDaniels will not be, as he suffered a fractured right hand in the first half of Sunday's game. McDaniels was spotted punching a wall after being removed late in the first quarter.

That's a big loss -- McDaniels is averaging 12.2 points on 51.7% shooting and playing terrific defense. He was one of six players to defend 2022-23 All-Stars at least 1,000 times this season, according to ESPN. Also consider that the Timberwolves lost backup center Naz Reid, having his best season, to a fractured wrist on March 29.

The Lakers landed D'Angelo Russell from the Timberwolves as part of a three-team deal at the trade deadline and L.A. is 8-1 when Russell, LeBron James and Anthony Davis play together. The Timberwolves won the season series, 2-1, against the Lakers, but Los Angeles won the most recent meeting at home on March 31.

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