🔗 Share this article

The Heat secured a crushing 146-114 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA match since guard Terry Rozier was detained for suspected illegal sports betting.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested in connection with a broad FBI investigation into illegal gambling. The two individuals contest the claims.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they put up 86 opening half points to lead Memphis by thirty-nine after two quarters, the largest halftime lead in the team's 37-year history.

Adebayo top-scored with twenty-four points and afterwards said Terry had the support of the team.

"We support him. Full support," Bam said. "You support him through and through. That's our brother at the end of the day."

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

"Our thoughts are with him and support for him as he faces the situation."

Portland additionally secured their initial match after the arrests, with Brazilian Splitter stepping in as interim coach in Billups' absence and guiding the squad to a decisive 139-119 win over the Golden State Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Chauncey 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

Addressing the arrests for the first time, league head Adam Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the past few days.

"Nothing is more critical to the league and supporters than the integrity of the game," he informed Amazon Prime. "And so I felt uneasy. It was very upsetting."

Silver further mentioned an NBA investigation into the player's actions in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he played for the Hornets versus the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

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

"We then looked into the matter and were open regarding it. Although there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, found no evidence.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can do all kinds of things that the league office can't do.

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

"And 30 months after, he has not been found guilty of anything, in justice to Rozier.

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

Other NBA Results

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers player Luka Doncic recorded over forty points for the second game straight to start the season.

After scoring forty-three points in a first defeat to the Warriors, the Slovenian achieved forty-nine scores - to go with eleven rebounds and 8 passes - as the Lakers beat the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek player Antetokounmpo also had a big night with thirty-one points, twenty rebounds and 7 assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 victory at the Toronto Raptors.

Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons even with thirty-seven scores from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, eleven boards and 9 blocks in the Spurs' extra-time victory over the New Orleans.