🔗 Share this article

The Heat earned a crushing 146-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA match since player Rozier was arrested over suspected unlawful 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 deny the claims.

However, the Miami team were not distracted as they scored 86 first-half points to lead the Grizzlies by 39 after two quarters, the largest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37-year existence.

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

"We support him. Complete backing," Adebayo said. "We are with him all the way. He's like family at the end of the day."

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Terry is somebody who is important to all of us. He's had a beneficial influence on our locker room.

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

The Trail Blazers also secured their first game since the detentions, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Billups' non-attendance and leading the squad to a decisive 139 to 119 victory against the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Billups and how he coached," Splitter said. "We're thinking of him and his family but we have a job to do."

League Commissioner Silver 'Upset' by Recent Events

Addressing the arrests for the initial occasion, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he was "very upset" by the incidents of the past few days.

"Nothing is more critical to the league and its fans than the fairness of the competition," he informed Amazon Prime. "Therefore I felt uneasy. It was very upsetting."

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

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

"We then looked into the matter and were very transparent regarding it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the league office is unable to.

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

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

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

Other League Results

In other games, Lakers star Doncic recorded more than 40 scores for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

After scoring 43 points in a season-opening defeat to the Warriors, the Slovenian achieved forty-nine points - to go with eleven boards and eight passes - as the Lakers beat the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek player Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with 31 points, 20 boards and 7 assists in the Bucks' 122-116 win at the Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons even with 37 scores from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, eleven boards and 9 blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' extra-time victory over the Pelicans.