Police have been "called in to investigate allegations of illegal betting in the National Basketball League," according to Niall Anderson of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. NBL Chair and Basketball New Zealand CEO Iain Potter confirmed Basketball New Zealand asked the police to investigate further into the allegations of "inappropriate betting." Potter said, "Basketball New Zealand was recently advised of allegations of inappropriate betting activities linked to a National Basketball League game. It is imperative that the integrity of our sport be protected." Previously, Potter confirmed the league "was looking into a game late last month between the Taranaki Mountain Airs and the Supercity Rangers." With just two seconds remaining on the clock, a shot from the Airs reduced the Rangers' lead to nine points -- 94-85. While teams would "traditionally run out the clock when up by a hefty margin with little time left," the Rangers took a timeout. On the resulting inbounds play, a three-pointer at the buzzer increased the final margin to 12 points. One of the "popular options available to bet on at the TAB is for a team to win by 11 points or more." Rangers coach Jeff Green, who denied any wrongdoing by his team, said that the final timeout was called "to give a departing player the final shot" (NZ HERALD, 8/6).
