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Referee who prompted FBI inquiries works NBA Finals game

Dick Bavetta, a National Basketball Association referee for 32 years who inspired questions in an FBI investigation into match fixing, worked game five of the NBA Finals here.

Bavetta also handled the opening game of the best-of-seven series but that was before former NBA referees revealed that they had been asked about Bavetta by federal agents looking into claims by another ex-referee.

Disgraced former referee Tim Donaghy claimed there was match-fixing corruption surrounding 2002 and 2005 NBA playoff games, including one that Bavetta worked involving the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento in 2002.

But NBA commissioner David Stern defended Bavetta, noting that while FBI investigators asked about several topics, the only charges brought in their investigation thus far have been against Donaghy, who admitted wrongdoing.

Donaghy will be sentenced next month on charges of betting of games that he officiated and taking payoffs from gamblers. His claims came in a letter to the US District Court in New York he hopes will reduce his sentence.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he hopes NBA supporters can have full confidence in referees and their calls before October's start of next season.

"We hope the summer brings some things around that will cool this off and we can have some confidence again with the public about our refereeing situation," Jackson said.