I think fixing goes on in every sport. This a Wikipedia article on Bavetta that I found interesting
Controversies
[edit]Altercations with Earl Strom
According to Darryl Dawkins's autobiography, Bavetta was officiating an NBA game during the mid-1970s between the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets with Earl Strom as his partner for that game.[14] Bavetta overruled Strom on a crucial last-second personal foul call against the Nets, which would have been a victory for the 76ers.[14] When the game ended and players were walking to their respective locker rooms, the door to the referees' locker room flew open and Bavetta came staggering out.[14] His uniform was allegedly ripped and he was wearing a big welt over his eye, running to get away from Strom.[14] Strom stepped out into the hallway and hollered after Bavetta, "You'll take another one of my !@#$ing calls again, right, you mother!@#$er?"[14] Strom was later fined for the incident.[15]
Bavetta had another altercation with Strom when he choked him during halftime of an NBA game in 1989 for allegedly siding with the home crowd. Strom reportedly apologized two weeks later.[3]
[edit]Allegation of game fixing
Bavetta was one of three referees for the Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers. Former referee Tim Donaghy has alleged that at least one of the referees working this game had subjective motives for wanting the Lakers to defeat the Kings, and made officiating calls to effectuate this outcome.[16][17] The NBA has not permitted Bavetta to speak publicly regarding the incident, though The New York Times reported on June 12, 2008 that the FBI is investigating allegations that Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference finals had been manipulated to further the series to a seventh game.[18]