🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat claimed a overwhelming 146-114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA game since player Terry Rozier was detained over alleged unlawful gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Billups was additionally detained as part of a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal gambling. Both men contest the allegations.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they recorded eighty-six opening half points to be ahead of Memphis by 39 after two quarters, the biggest half-time advantage in the team's 37-year history.

Adebayo top-scored with twenty-four points and later stated Rozier had the team's full backing.

"We support him. Complete backing," Adebayo said. "You support him through and through. He's like family at the end of the day."

Miami head coach Spoelstra added: "Rozier is a person who is very dear to everyone. He has made a real positive impact on our team.

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

The Trail Blazers additionally secured their initial match after the arrests, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter taking over as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and guiding the squad to a decisive 139 to 119 win over the Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Billups and his coaching style," Splitter remarked. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but our focus is on the game."

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' by Recent Events

Speaking about the detentions for the initial occasion, league head Adam Silver said he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents of the past few days.

"Nothing is more critical to the NBA and supporters than the fairness of the competition," he told a broadcaster. "And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

The commissioner further said an league probe into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a game he played for the Charlotte Hornets versus the New Orleans Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"We were informed by the authorities and the gambling firms," he added.

"We investigated that situation and were open about it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, frankly, found no evidence.

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the league office is unable to.

"Therefore, we've been cooperating from that point. Naturally, what they revealed recently was an indictment.

"And 30 months later, he still hasn't been convicted of anything, in fairness to Rozier.

"Obviously, it doesn't look good, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a compromise in this case between upholding rights and conducting an inquiry."

Additional NBA Outcomes

Elsewhere, Lakers star Doncic scored over forty points for the second game in a row to begin the campaign.

Following scoring 43 scores in a season-opening loss to the Golden State, the Slovenian put up 49 scores - to go with 11 rebounds and 8 passes - as the Los Angeles defeated the Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece player Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 points, 20 rebounds and 7 passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 victory over the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons even with 37 scores from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, eleven boards and nine rejections in the Spurs' overtime win against the New Orleans.