Former NBA Referee Tim Donaghy Explained How He Threw A Game Against Pat Riley

Donaghy says he once bet against Heat against the Knicks because of Riley

Netflix recently rolled out the latest episode of its series "Untold: Operation Flagrant Foul," which focuses on corrupt referee Tim Donaghy. 

The series provides the opportunity to hear things from Donaghy’s point of view of the scandal that rocked the NBA. Donaghy started betting on games he officiated after he was approached by friend Tommy Martino about providing inside information. 

Donaghy knew how other officials dealt with coaches and who wasn't playing because of injuries. 

In the series, Donaghy highlighted the Miami Heat's game against the New York Knicks Feb. 26, 2007 at Madison Square Garden. Donaghy bet on the Knicks because the history between Pat Riley, who was then coaching the Miami Heat, and referee Derrick Stafford. 

“I was refereeing with [Derrick] Stafford, he was buddies with Isiah Thomas," Donaghy said. "I knew Stafford didn’t have a liking for Pat Riley, even a little bit. And I knew any chance he got, he’d stick it to him because he was that type of referee."

At one point in the game, Riley was yelling at Stafford for a foul. It led to Stafford giving Riley a technical foul. The Heat eventually lost the game. 

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Landon Buford is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at landon.buford@att.net