🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat earned a decisive 146 to 114 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA match after guard Terry Rozier was detained over suspected illegal gambling.

Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested as part of a extensive federal investigation into illegal gambling. Both men contest the claims.

But, the Heat were focused as they put up 86 opening half scores to be ahead of the Grizzlies by thirty-nine after two quarters, the largest halftime lead in the team's 37 year existence.

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

"We support him. Complete backing," Adebayo stated. "We are with him all the way. He's like family ultimately."

Heat coach Spoelstra added: "Terry is somebody who is important 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 goes through this."

Portland additionally won their first game since the arrests, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and guiding the team to a convincing 139-119 victory against the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Billups and how he coached," Tiago said. "We're thinking of him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

League Commissioner Adam Silver 'Disturbed' over Recent Events

Speaking about the arrests for the first time, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated he was "very upset" by the incidents of the recent days.

"Nothing is more critical to the NBA and supporters than the fairness of the competition," he told a broadcaster. "And so I felt uneasy. It was disturbing."

Silver also said an league probe into the player's actions in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he participated for the Charlotte Hornets versus the New Orleans Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"We were informed by the authorities and the gambling firms," he added.

"We then looked into the matter and were open regarding it. Although there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, couldn't find anything.

"Federal authorities has legal authority... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the league office can't do.

"Therefore, we've been cooperating since then. Naturally, what they revealed recently was an charge.

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

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

Additional League Outcomes

In other games, Lakers player Doncic recorded more than 40 scores for the consecutive match in a row to start the season.

Following racking up forty-three points in a first defeat to the Golden State, the European star put up forty-nine scores - along with eleven boards and 8 assists - as the Lakers beat the Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece forward Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 scores, twenty rebounds and 7 assists in the Bucks' 122-116 victory at the Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Pistons despite 37 scores from Kevin Durant, while Wembanyama had 29 scores, 11 boards and nine blocks in the Spurs' overtime win against the New Orleans.