🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat earned a overwhelming 146-114 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial basketball game since player Terry Rozier was detained over suspected illegal gambling.

Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was additionally arrested as part of a broad FBI investigation into illegal gambling. The two individuals contest the claims.

However, the Heat were focused as they scored eighty-six opening half points to lead the Grizzlies by thirty-nine at halftime, the biggest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37-year existence.

Adebayo led the way with 24 scores and afterwards said Terry had the support of the team.

"We stand behind him. Full support," Adebayo stated. "You support him through and through. He's like family at the end of the day."

Miami head coach Spoelstra added: "Rozier is somebody who is important to all of us. He's had a real positive impact on our locker room.

"We send our thoughts and our care for him as he faces this."

The Trail Blazers also secured their initial match after the arrests, with Brazil-born Splitter taking over as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and guiding the squad to a convincing 139-119 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Billups and how he coached," Tiago remarked. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' by Recent Events

Speaking about the arrests for the first time, NBA commissioner Silver said he was "very upset" by the events of the past few days.

"There's nothing more important to the NBA and its fans than the fairness of the game," he told a broadcaster. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting."

The commissioner also mentioned an league probe into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a game he participated for the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"We were informed by the regulators and the betting companies," he added.

"We investigated that situation and were very transparent about it. And while there was the unusual wagering, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the NBA can't do.

"So, we've been working with them since then. And, of course, what they revealed recently was an indictment.

"Moreover two and a half years later, he still hasn't been convicted of anything, in justice to Rozier.

"Obviously, it doesn't look good, but he's been suspended, and so it is a compromise in this case between upholding rights and investigating."

Other NBA Results

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers player Luka Doncic scored more than 40 scores for the consecutive match straight to start the season.

Following racking up 43 points in a season-opening defeat to the Golden State, the Slovenian achieved forty-nine points - along with eleven rebounds and 8 assists - as the Lakers beat the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with thirty-one points, twenty boards and 7 passes in the Bucks' 122 to 116 victory at the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Pistons despite thirty-seven scores from Kevin Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, 11 boards and nine blocks in the Spurs' overtime win over the Pelicans.