🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat secured a decisive 146-114 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in their first basketball match after player Rozier was detained over alleged illegal gambling.

Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was additionally arrested as part of a broad FBI investigation into sports betting. Both men deny the allegations.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they scored 86 first-half scores to be ahead of the Grizzlies by 39 after two quarters, the largest halftime lead in the franchise's 37-year existence.

Adebayo led the way with 24 points and afterwards stated Rozier had the support of the team.

"We support him. Complete backing," Bam stated. "You support him through and through. That's our brother ultimately."

Heat coach Spoelstra commented: "Terry is somebody who is very dear to all of us. He's had a real positive impact on our locker room.

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

Portland also won their first game since the detentions, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach in Chauncey's absence and leading the team to a decisive 139-119 win against the Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Chauncey and how he coached," Splitter remarked. "We're thinking of him and his family but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' over Arrests

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

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

The commissioner also said an NBA investigation into the player's conduct in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he played for the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"We were informed by the authorities 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.

"Federal authorities has subpoena power... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can do all kinds of things that the NBA is unable to.

"So, we've been working with them since then. Naturally, what they revealed yesterday was an charge.

"And 30 months after, he has not been found guilty of any offense, in fairness to Rozier.

"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 investigating."

Other League Outcomes

In other games, Lakers star Luka Doncic recorded more than 40 scores for the second game straight to start the season.

After racking up forty-three scores in a first defeat to the Golden State, the Slovenian achieved forty-nine points - to go with eleven boards and eight passes - as the Los Angeles defeated the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece forward Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 points, 20 rebounds and seven assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 win over the Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Pistons even with thirty-seven scores from Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 points, eleven boards and 9 blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win over the New Orleans.