Who are the referees tonight?

3 "road tean" refs:  Scott Foster, Joe DeRosa, and Tony Brothers. Foster, in particular, isn't the biggest fan of the Lakers.

This is the same officiating crew that gave Houston game 1 at Staples two weeks ago.  So shady because the NBA never EVER has an identical 3 man crew officiate twice in the same playoffs.  The fact that it's ALSO a game 1 at Staples, just like the Houston game, makes it even more suspicious.

Not only is the NBA repeating the same officiating crew in the same scenario, but what gives with this JV crew for a Western Conference Final?  No Bavetta?  No Javie? No Delaney? Eddie Rush?  Derrick Stafford?  Niether of the Crawfords?

If the NBA is going to fix a game for Denver they should at least be less obvious about it.

Yep, they do have sizable ATS record against all home teams.

I've never seen a duplicate set of refs ever either.

They gave Rockets 29 fts vs 19 for the home team last time. Brothers has always displayed a noticable smirk in making calls against Kobe since as long as memory serves me.

Also it looks like there is a reverse line movement on this game. very suspicious indeed

Tony Brothers is one of the worst officials in the NBA.  I don't know which side he'll favor tonight, but I guarantee you he'll get anywhere from 10-12 calls completely wrong.

From the "Junior Varisty" crew of Foster, Brothers, and DeRosa last night to the "Roc La Familia" crew of Salvatore, Garretson, and Ken Mauer (aka "The Greaser") tonight.

The NBA really outdid itself this time.  Usually they give us two "company men" and one clueless sap who thinks he's just there to call a straight game.  Tonight Stern is pulling out all the stops for an LBJ victory and assigning three of his "best guys".

If Bennett Salvatore is in the house Orlando better make sure they don't breathe on LeBron because it's going to be a foul.  I predict 47 free throws for The Chosen One.

That might be the easiest bet of the playoffs.  After what Kobe did last night, the league will mandate that LeBron get at least 40 (god forbid Kobe hog the limelight for more than 24 hours).

I've seen Bennett Salvatore call an offensive foul on Paul Pierce for tilting his body toward's a defender while shooting a 3.  Nothing is off limits for Bennett....nothing.

I think the NBA needs to try a little harder with their referee rotation because it's getting too obvious.

After making the Lakers suffer through an intolerable minor league crew in the last game (allowing the Nugs to cover), the Commissioner is breaking out some big gun tonight.

I'd be riding the Lakers if it was just Dick Bavetta, but throw in some Steve Javie and I think the Lakers win in a blowout.  The Nuggets are going to get hosed so badly tonight, Kenyon might punch someone.

https://www.nba.com/news/referee.html