🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat earned a decisive 146-114 victory over the Grizzlies in their initial basketball match since player Rozier was arrested for suspected illegal sports betting.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Billups was also arrested in connection with a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal gambling. Both men deny the claims.

However, the Miami team were focused as they put up eighty-six first-half points to be ahead of Memphis by 39 at halftime, the biggest halftime lead in the franchise's 37 year existence.

Adebayo top-scored with twenty-four points and later stated Rozier had the team's full backing.

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

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Terry is somebody who is very dear to everyone. 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 arrests, with Brazilian Splitter taking over as temporary head coach in Chauncey's absence and leading the squad to a decisive 139 to 119 victory over the Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Billups and his coaching style," Splitter remarked. "We're thinking of him and his family but our focus is on the game."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver 'Disturbed' over Recent Events

Addressing the detentions for the initial occasion, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents of the recent days.

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

Silver also mentioned an NBA investigation into the player's actions in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he participated for the Hornets against the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

"We were informed by the regulators and the gambling firms," he continued.

"We investigated that situation and were very transparent regarding it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, found no evidence.

"Federal authorities has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the NBA can't do.

"So, we've been cooperating from that point. And, of course, what they revealed yesterday was an charge.

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

"Clearly, it appears unfavorable, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a balance here between upholding rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other League Results

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers star Doncic scored more than 40 points for the second game in a row to start the season.

Following scoring forty-three points in a first defeat to the Warriors, the European star put up forty-nine scores - to go with 11 rebounds and 8 passes - as the Lakers beat the Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece player Antetokounmpo additionally had a big night with 31 points, twenty boards and seven passes in the Bucks' 122 to 116 win over the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons even with thirty-seven scores from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, eleven rebounds and 9 rejections in the San Antonio Spurs' extra-time victory against the New Orleans.