BBNZ backs police probe into betting
Basketball New Zealand’s boss is backing a police investigation into alleged illegal betting, and says it’s imperative the integrity of the sport is protected.
BBNZ chief executive Iain Potter released a statement, after confirmation police launched an investigation in wake of the suspicious finish to a National Basketball League game last month.
‘‘Basketball New Zealand and the NZ NBL Board take these allegations very seriously. We have referred the allegations to the New Zealand Police and they have decided to pursue this further, which we welcome,’’ Potter said.
The game in question was between the SuperCity Rangers and Taranaki Mountain Airs in New Plymouth on July 20, when a basket from the Mountain Airs cut the Rangers’ lead to 94-85 with 1.2 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.
Last week Green told Stuff the allegations were ‘‘ludicrous’’, and firmly denied any wrongdoing from his side.
He said they 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.
Green was interviewed on Radio Sport yesterday, and reiterated his stance.
‘‘I thought it was pretty ludicrous, but it happens in sport, doesn’t it?’’ he said when asked of his reaction to the allegations. ‘‘Particularly when there is gambling involved, so there’s always going to be rumours . . . it’s just one of those things that I suppose you’ve just got to handle it as it comes along,’’ he said.
The long-time coach said the basket ensured his side didn’t finish last in the competition, and defended his team’s celebrations after Wilson drained the shot. ‘‘It was a great play. ‘‘And when you look at it, it’s pretty hard to make with 1.2 seconds to go, it was really just a catch and heave it up, and hope it goes in, so yeah, everyone is excited.’’
Several times this year, the TAB looked into betting on New Zealand NBL games, but did not find anything malicious.