Furthering the perception that the NBA is as scripted as the WWE, certain officials seem to have a direct impact on the games they are assigned to. When a home team is in danger of losing a playoff series that the league would benefit from by have the series continue, certain referees work those games. Certain referees work games based on what team winning would benefit the league. And, of course, there is the entire Tim Donaghy scandal, where David Stern still maintains that he was the only one betting on games, and that he was a 'rogue official'.
Despite Boss Stern claiming that he does not run the league as though he is a Mafia boss and that the games are not fixed, there are some disturbing trends with teams and officials. For a prime example, there is tonight's playoff matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trailblazers. The officiating crew is headed by Danny Crawford, an official that has adversely affected the Mavs whenever he is involved in one of their playoff games. With Crawford as an official in playoff games, the Mavs are 2-16, 4-14 against the spread. Without Crawford, the Mavs are 48-41 in the playoffs. The Mavs have been called for roughly 2.5 more fouls per game than their opponents, and have averaged 6.8 fewer free throws per game as well.
In fact, Crawford was the lead official in games 3 and 6 of the 2006 NBA Finals, where it is universally believed that the NBA gave the title to the Miami Heat. After falling behind 2-0 in that series, the Heat had a free throw advantage of 71 to 49.
Crawford being assigned to this games comes directly after the Portland Trailblazers coach, Nate McMillan, questioned how the Mavs had a 19 to 2 free throw advantage during the fourth quarter of game one. Well Nate, you won't have to worry about the Mavs having any advantage there tonight. Crawford being in Dallas pretty much assures that the series will be tied at one game each when the series shifts to Portland.
If gambling was legal, put your money on Portland. It would be a major upset if the Mavs won tonight, since they will be playing five on eight.
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