🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat secured a crushing 146-114 win against the Memphis Grizzlies in their first basketball match since player Terry Rozier was detained over alleged unlawful sports betting.

Trail Blazers head coach Billups was additionally detained as part of a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal gambling. The two individuals deny the claims.

However, the Heat were focused as they scored 86 opening half scores to be ahead of the Grizzlies by 39 at halftime, the biggest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37 year existence.

Adebayo top-scored with 24 scores and later stated Terry had the support of the team.

"We support him. Full support," Bam stated. "You support him through and through. He's like family ultimately."

Heat coach Spoelstra commented: "Rozier is somebody who is important to all of us. He's had a beneficial influence on our locker room.

"Our thoughts are with him and our care for him as he faces this."

Portland also secured their initial match after the detentions, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and leading the team to a convincing 139-119 win over the Warriors.

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

League Commissioner Silver 'Upset' over Arrests

Addressing the arrests for the initial occasion, league head Silver said he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents of the recent days.

"Nothing is more critical to the NBA and its fans than the integrity of the competition," he informed a broadcaster. "And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

Silver also mentioned an NBA investigation into the player's actions in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a game he played for the Charlotte Hornets against the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

"It was brought to our attention by the authorities and the betting companies," he added.

"We then looked into the matter and were very transparent about it. And while there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can do all kinds of things that the NBA can't do.

"So, we've been working with them from that point. And, of course, what they announced yesterday was an charge.

"And two and a half years after, he has not been found guilty of any offense, in fairness to Terry.

"Clearly, it doesn't look good, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a compromise in this case between protecting people's rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other League Results

In other games, Lakers player Doncic recorded over forty scores for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

After racking up 43 points in a season-opening loss to the Golden State, the European star put up forty-nine points - to go with eleven boards and eight assists - as the Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-110.

Greek player Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 points, twenty rebounds and seven passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 victory at the Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons despite 37 points from Durant, while Wembanyama had 29 scores, 11 boards and 9 blocks in the Spurs' extra-time victory over the New Orleans.