BOSTON -- A source tells 7Sports that the gambler at the center of the 2008 NBA betting scandal says 13 referees were involved.
Jimmy "The Sheep" Battista pleaded guilty to conspiracy to
transmit wagering information in connection with disgraced NBA official
Tim Donaghy and served 15 months in federal prison.
The source also tells 7Sports that Battista claims he has the phone records to prove his contact with these 13 referees.
Donaghy served 15 months in federal prison for providing inside tips on
NBA games to a professional gambler in exchange for money.
When the scandal broke in June of 2008, NBA commissioner David Stern called Donaghy a "rogue, isolated criminal."
The source tells 7Sports that Battista says he had a "Big-5"
of dependable referees with Tim Donaghy being the "King" as Battista
called him, who the gambler says delivered a winning bet 78 percent of
the time in games he officiated.
The 7Sports source says that on December 12, 2006, the night before the
Celtics played the Philadelphia 76ers, Battista says he met with
Donaghy and a mutual high school friend.
On that night, the gambler claims they made a deal which according to
Battista involved Donaghy supplying information including injury
reports and referee assignments and Battista making the bets.
The source says that according to Battista, the first game the two men
bet on together was the Celtics-76ers game the following night -- a
game Donaghy officiated and one the Celtics covered with ease.
The Celtics were 1 1/2 point favorites, but with 10 minutes to play in the third quarter, the score was tied.
The Celtics would eventually go on to win by 20 points.
The source says Battista is making these claims as he works to finalize a tell-all book deal.
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/sports/BO130486/
Your thoughts, gentlemen?
Testing a new system...
Over Plays
Toronto Over 194
OKC Over 187
Under Plays
Portland Under 188
Houston Under 182
Denver Under 204.5
PS. FREE WBA!!
Trying a new system out.
Canes Over 5.5
Leafs Under 6.
Canucks ML
Just a heads up guys.
The Cavaliers ended up spending the entire night at the airport & on the plane in Atlanta because of deicing issues. They got little sleep last night & didn't get to the hotel in Miami till 8 am.
Game tips of @ 7:30 pm.
Line opened Cleveland -4 & now its at (-3), -2.5.
Good Luck.