🔗 Share this article

The Heat claimed a decisive 146 to 114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial basketball game after guard Terry Rozier was arrested for suspected illegal sports betting.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was additionally arrested in connection with a sweeping FBI investigation into sports betting. The two individuals contest the claims.

However, the Miami team were not distracted as they put up 86 opening half points to be ahead of Memphis by thirty-nine after two quarters, the largest halftime lead in the franchise's 37-year existence.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with twenty-four points and later said Terry had the team's full backing.

"We support him. Full support," Adebayo stated. "You support him through and through. That's our brother ultimately."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Rozier is a person who is very dear to all of us. He has made a real positive impact on our locker room.

"We send our thoughts and support for him as he faces the situation."

The Trail Blazers additionally secured their initial match since the detentions, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter taking over as temporary head coach in Chauncey's absence and guiding the team to a convincing 139 to 119 victory over the Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Chauncey and his coaching style," Splitter remarked. "We're thinking of him and his family but we have a job to do."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver 'Disturbed' by Arrests

Addressing the detentions for the first time, NBA commissioner Silver stated he was "very upset" by the incidents of the past few days.

"Nothing is more critical to the NBA and its fans than the fairness of the game," he told Amazon Prime. "And so I felt uneasy. It was very upsetting."

Silver also mentioned an NBA investigation into Rozier's conduct in March 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he participated for the Hornets against the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

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

"We investigated that situation and were open regarding it. Although there was that aberrational betting, 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 league office is unable to.

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

"Moreover two and a half years later, he has not been found guilty of anything, in justice to Terry.

"Clearly, it appears unfavorable, but he's been suspended, and so it is a compromise in this case between upholding rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other NBA Results

In other games, Los Angeles Lakers player Doncic recorded over forty points for the second game in a row to start the season.

Following scoring 43 points in a first defeat to the Warriors, the Slovenian put up forty-nine points - along with eleven boards and eight assists - as the Lakers beat the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece player Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with thirty-one scores, 20 boards and 7 passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 win over the Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons even with thirty-seven points from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, 11 rebounds and nine rejections in the Spurs' extra-time victory over the New Orleans.