🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat secured a decisive 146 to 114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their first basketball game since player Terry Rozier was arrested over alleged unlawful sports betting.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also detained as part of a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal gambling. Both men deny the claims.

But, the Heat were focused as they recorded eighty-six opening half scores to be ahead of Memphis by thirty-nine after two quarters, the biggest halftime lead in the franchise's 37-year existence.

Adebayo top-scored with twenty-four scores and afterwards stated Terry had the team's full backing.

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

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Terry is a person who is very dear to all of us. He has made a real positive impact on our locker room.

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

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

"We all had great experiences with Chauncey and his coaching style," Splitter said. "Our thoughts are with him and his family but our focus is on the game."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' over Recent Events

Speaking about the detentions for the first time, NBA commissioner 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 informed a broadcaster. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

The commissioner also said an NBA investigation into the player's actions in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a game he participated for the Charlotte Hornets against the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We then looked into the matter and were very transparent regarding it. And while 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 do all kinds of things that the league office is unable to.

"Therefore, we've been cooperating from that point. Naturally, what they announced yesterday was an charge.

"And two and a half years later, he has not been found guilty of any offense, 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 Outcomes

In other games, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic recorded more than 40 points for the second game in a row to begin the campaign.

After scoring 43 scores in a season-opening defeat to the Warriors, the European star put up forty-nine scores - to go with 11 boards and eight assists - as the Los Angeles defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece forward Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with 31 scores, twenty boards and seven passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 win over the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons even with 37 scores from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, eleven rebounds and nine rejections in the San Antonio Spurs' extra-time victory over the New Orleans.