🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat earned a decisive 146 to 114 win against the Grizzlies in their first basketball game since guard Rozier was arrested over suspected illegal gambling.

Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was also detained as part of a broad federal probe into illegal gambling. The two individuals deny the claims.

However, the Miami team were focused as they recorded 86 first-half points to be ahead of Memphis by thirty-nine at halftime, the biggest halftime lead in the franchise's 37-year history.

Bam Adebayo led the way with twenty-four points and afterwards said Rozier had the support of the team.

"We stand behind him. Complete backing," Bam said. "We are with him all the way. That's our brother ultimately."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Rozier is a person who is important to everyone. He's had a beneficial influence on our locker room.

"Our thoughts are with him and our care for him as he faces this."

The Trail Blazers additionally secured their first game after the detentions, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Billups' non-attendance and leading the squad to a decisive 139-119 win against the Warriors.

"Everyone experienced great experiences with Billups and his coaching style," Tiago remarked. "We're thinking of him and his family but we have a job to do."

League Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' over Recent Events

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

"There's nothing more important to the NBA and its fans than the integrity of the game," he informed Amazon Prime. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

Silver further mentioned an NBA investigation into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he participated 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 continued.

"We investigated the matter and were very transparent regarding it. And while there was that aberrational betting, we, frankly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can take various actions that the league office is unable to.

"Therefore, we've been working with them since then. Naturally, what they revealed yesterday was an charge.

"And two and a half years after, he still hasn't been convicted of anything, in fairness to Terry.

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

Other NBA Outcomes

Elsewhere, Lakers star Luka Doncic scored over forty points for the consecutive match straight to start the season.

After racking up 43 points in a season-opening loss to the Warriors, the Slovenian achieved 49 scores - to go with 11 rebounds and eight assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

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

Houston Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons even with thirty-seven scores from Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 points, 11 boards and 9 rejections in the Spurs' extra-time victory over the Pelicans.