SOURCE: NY Newsday

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When Memphis played at Utah on Nov. 19, 2005, the Grizzlies initially were favored by 5. The line increased to 7, and Memphis shot 19 more free throws (30-11) than the Jazz in an 80-72 victory.

On Dec. 18, 2006, Washington opened as a 2 1/2-point favorite at Denver. The line increased to 3.5 points, largely because of suspensions for Carmelo Anthony and Nene. The undermanned Nuggets shot 44 free throws compared to Washington's 18 and won easily, 117-108.

Of the eight playoff games Donaghy officiated in the past two seasons, two raised red flags for the Nevada betting source.

On April 28, 2006, the line favoring the host Lakers over the Suns moved a half-point in L.A.'s favor. The Lakers won and covered, 99-92, enjoying a 23-17 free-throw advantage with 22 fouls called on Phoenix and 14 on the Lakers. Four of the Suns' five starters finished with at least four fouls.

On April 29, 2007, the result was flipped. The Suns opened as a 4 1/2-point favorite, the line increased to 6 and Phoenix won by 13 - 113-100 - with a 31-17 free-throw advantage.

But several games in the Donaghy file don't fit the profile of a fixer, the source said, highlighting how difficult it will be for the NBA and federal authorities to build their case against him.

For example, the 76ers were favored to beat the Raptors by one point at home on Jan. 15, 2007, but heavy betting on Toronto resulted in the closing line favoring the Raptors by 1. Toronto won in a blowout, 104-86, and 21 fouls were called on each team.

Two nights later, heavy wagering on Phoenix for its game at Houston increased the point spread favoring the Suns from 4 1/2 to 8. The Suns won, 100-91, but each team shot only 12 free throws. Houston stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady missed the game with injuries, accounting for much of the betting line movement.

Another anomaly: In Game 6 of the 2007 first-round series between the Nets and Raptors, the line opened at 3 points favoring the Nets at home and closed at 5. That result would've been under scrutiny, but only by any fixers who might've been involved. The Nets failed to cover in a 98-97 series-clinching victory and had only a slight free-throw advantage (29-25).

"If [Donaghy] was involved there, he's in trouble," the Nevada source said. "And not with the NBA."

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