🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat claimed a crushing 146-114 win against the Grizzlies in their initial basketball match after guard Rozier was detained for alleged unlawful gambling.

Trail Blazers head coach Billups was also detained in connection with a extensive FBI probe into sports betting. The two individuals contest the allegations.

But, the Heat were not distracted as they put up 86 first-half scores to be ahead of Memphis by thirty-nine after two quarters, the largest halftime lead in the franchise's 37 year history.

Bam Adebayo led the way with twenty-four scores and afterwards said Terry had the support of the team.

"We support him. Complete backing," Bam said. "We are with him all the way. That's our brother at the end of the day."

Miami head coach Spoelstra commented: "Rozier is a person who is important to everyone. He has made a beneficial influence on our team.

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

The Trail Blazers also secured their first game after the arrests, with Brazilian Splitter stepping in as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and guiding the squad to a decisive 139-119 win over the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Billups and his coaching style," Splitter remarked. "We're thinking of him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

League Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' by Recent Events

Speaking about the detentions for the initial occasion, league head Adam Silver said he was "very upset" by the events of the recent days.

"Nothing is more critical to the league and its fans than the fairness of the game," he informed a broadcaster. "Therefore I felt uneasy. It was disturbing."

The commissioner further mentioned an league probe into Rozier's actions in March 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a game he played for the Hornets versus the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

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

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can do all kinds of things that the league office can't do.

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

"Moreover 30 months later, he has not been found guilty of any offense, in justice to Rozier.

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

Other NBA Results

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers player Doncic recorded more than 40 scores for the second game in a row to begin the campaign.

After racking up 43 scores in a first defeat to the Warriors, the European star put up forty-nine points - to go with 11 rebounds and eight passes - as the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece forward Antetokounmpo also had a big night with thirty-one scores, twenty boards and 7 passes in the Bucks' 122 to 116 win at the Toronto Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Pistons even with 37 scores from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, 11 boards and 9 blocks in the Spurs' extra-time victory against the New Orleans.