🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat secured a decisive 146-114 win against the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial basketball match after guard Terry Rozier was arrested over suspected unlawful gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Billups was also arrested in connection with a broad federal probe into illegal gambling. Both men deny the allegations.

But, the Heat were not distracted as they recorded eighty-six first-half points to be ahead of the Grizzlies by thirty-nine at halftime, the biggest halftime lead in the team's 37-year existence.

Adebayo top-scored with 24 scores and later stated Terry had the team's full backing.

"We support him. Full support," Bam stated. "We are with him all the way. He's like family at the end of the day."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Terry is somebody who is important to everyone. He has made a beneficial influence on our locker room.

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

Portland also won their initial match after the detentions, with Brazil-born Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and guiding the team to a decisive 139 to 119 win over the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Billups and how he coached," Tiago remarked. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

League Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' by Recent Events

Speaking about the detentions for the first time, NBA commissioner Silver said he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the past few days.

"There's nothing more important to the NBA and supporters than the fairness of the competition," he told a broadcaster. "And so I felt uneasy. It was very upsetting."

The commissioner also said an league probe into the player's actions in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he played for the Charlotte Hornets versus the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"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. 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 NBA can't do.

"So, we've been cooperating since then. And, of course, what they announced recently was an charge.

"Moreover 30 months after, he still hasn't been convicted of anything, in fairness to Terry.

"Clearly, it doesn't look good, but he's been suspended, and so it is a balance here between upholding rights and investigating."

Other NBA Outcomes

In other games, Lakers star Luka Doncic scored over forty points for the consecutive match in a row to begin the campaign.

Following racking up forty-three points in a first defeat to the Warriors, the Slovenian put up 49 points - to go with 11 boards and eight assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek forward Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with thirty-one points, twenty boards and seven assists in the Bucks' 122 to 116 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons even with 37 points from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 points, eleven rebounds and nine blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win over the Pelicans.