🔗 Share this article

The Heat earned a decisive 146-114 win against the Grizzlies in their first basketball game after player Terry Rozier was arrested for suspected illegal sports betting.

Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was additionally detained as part of a broad FBI probe into illegal gambling. The two individuals contest the allegations.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they put up 86 opening half scores to lead Memphis by 39 after two quarters, the largest half-time advantage in the team's 37-year existence.

Adebayo led the way with 24 points and later said Rozier had the support of the team.

"We support him. Complete backing," Adebayo said. "You support him through and through. That's our brother ultimately."

Miami head coach Spoelstra added: "Terry is somebody who is very dear to all of us. He's had a real positive impact on our locker room.

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

The Trail Blazers also secured their first game after the detentions, with Brazilian Splitter taking over as temporary head coach in Billups' non-attendance and leading the squad to a convincing 139 to 119 win over the Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Chauncey and how he coached," Splitter remarked. "We're thinking of him and his family but our focus is on the game."

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Upset' over Arrests

Addressing the arrests for the first time, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents of the recent days.

"There's nothing more important to the league and supporters than the integrity of the competition," he told Amazon Prime. "And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting."

Silver further said an NBA investigation into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he played for the Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

"It was brought to our attention by the authorities and the gambling firms," he added.

"We investigated the matter and were open about it. Although there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can take various actions that the NBA can't do.

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

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

"Obviously, it appears unfavorable, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a compromise here between upholding rights and conducting an inquiry."

Additional League Results

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic scored more than 40 scores for the consecutive match straight to begin the campaign.

After racking up forty-three points in a first loss to the Golden State, the European star achieved 49 points - to go with 11 boards and 8 passes - as the Los Angeles beat the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece forward Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with thirty-one points, twenty boards and 7 assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 win over the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons despite 37 scores from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, 11 rebounds and nine rejections in the Spurs' overtime win over the New Orleans.