🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat secured a decisive 146-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA game since guard Terry Rozier was detained for alleged illegal sports betting.

Trail Blazers coach Billups was additionally arrested in connection with a broad FBI investigation into sports betting. The two individuals deny the allegations.

But, the Miami team were not distracted as they recorded 86 first-half scores to be ahead of the Grizzlies by 39 at halftime, the biggest half-time advantage in the team's 37 year existence.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with 24 scores and afterwards stated Rozier had the support of the team.

"We support him. Full support," Bam said. "You support him through and through. He's like family ultimately."

Miami head coach Spoelstra commented: "Terry is somebody who is very dear to everyone. He has made a beneficial influence on our team.

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

Portland also won their first game since the arrests, with Brazilian Splitter taking over as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and guiding the team to a convincing 139 to 119 win against the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had great experiences 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 Silver 'Disturbed' by Recent Events

Speaking about the arrests for the first time, league head Adam Silver stated he was "very upset" by the events of the recent days.

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

The commissioner also said an NBA investigation into the player's conduct in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he played for the Charlotte Hornets against the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

"It was brought to our attention by the regulators and the betting companies," he continued.

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

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the NBA is unable to.

"Therefore, we've been cooperating since then. And, of course, what they revealed yesterday was an indictment.

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

"Obviously, it doesn't look good, but he's been suspended, and so it is a balance in this case between upholding rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other League Results

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic scored over forty points for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

Following scoring 43 scores in a season-opening loss to the Warriors, the Slovenian achieved 49 points - along with 11 boards and 8 assists - as the Los Angeles defeated the Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece forward Antetokounmpo additionally had a big night with thirty-one scores, 20 rebounds and 7 passes in the Bucks' 122 to 116 victory at the Toronto Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Pistons even with thirty-seven points from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 scores, 11 boards and nine rejections in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win over the Pelicans.