NBL game in hands of police

Basketball New Zealand has referred allegations of illegal betting to the police in the wake of a suspicious ending to a National Basketball League game.

There was an interesting finish to the July 20 game between the Supercity Rangers and Taranaki Mountain Airs in New Plymouth, after a basket from the Mountain Airs cut the Rangers’ lead to 94-85 with two seconds left.

Instead of running down the clock, the Jeff Green coached Rangers called a time-out and then hit a three-pointer through American Clay Wilson.

That basket increased their lead to 12 points. A popular betting option available is a team winning by 11 or more points.

Basketball NZ chief executive Iain Potter confirmed to the New Zealand Herald that the police have been called into investigate.

‘‘We have referred the allegations to the New Zealand Police and they have decided to pursue this further, which we welcome,’’ Potter told the Herald.

Green described the allegations as ‘‘ludicrous’’ and firmly denied any wrongdoing from the Supercity Rangers.

He said he drew up the play because it was Wilson’s last game and they wanted to increase his lead as the league’s most prolific three-point shooter. Wilson was eventually overtaken by Taranaki’s Alonzo Burton.

‘‘It’s just nonsense. I’m not worried about it,’’ Green said.

‘‘When you take all those things into account, it’s ludicrous to suggest anything else.’’

The TAB offers multiple betting options on NBL games, including points margins and halftime fulltime doubles.