Bavetta worked Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, when the Los Angeles Lakers used a huge free-throw advantage in the fourth quarter to beat the Sacramento Kings and even a series they eventually won.

Donaghy, who has pleaded guilty to betting on games he officiated and taking cash payments from gamblers, alleged in a court filing this week that the NBA had two "company men" work that game and make calls that would help the Lakers win and set up a Game 7.

SONICS TRIAL BEGINS: One of the most anticipated trials in Seattle history is set to begin today, complete with bloggers and protesters.

The six-day, no-jury trial in federal court will settle the final two years of the SuperSonics' lease at KeyArena. Sonics owner Clay Bennett has gained the NBA's approval to move the team to his hometown of Oklahoma City, but Seattle argues its lease forces the franchise to play two more seasons before departing. The contentious showdown has turned personal.

The court will distribute 44 courtroom seats for each morning and afternoon session through a public lottery, to satisfy those curious to see firsthand if their city will lose its oldest professional sports team after 41 years. Bloggers will be filing word-by-word accounts from a ceremonial courtroom four floors above the trial room, in an overflow media center that will show proceedings on closed-circuit television.

Seattle is citing a legal principle -- specific performance -- that Cleveland used 12 years ago to ultimately secure a replacement NFL team. That squad is today's Browns.

The Sonics argue this case is no different than a garden-variety tenant-landlord dispute, so specific performance should not be an issue.

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