🔗 Share this article

The Heat claimed a decisive 146-114 win against the Grizzlies in their first NBA match since guard Rozier was detained for alleged illegal sports betting.

Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was additionally arrested as part of a broad FBI investigation into illegal gambling. Both men deny the allegations.

However, the Miami team were focused as they scored eighty-six opening half scores to lead the Grizzlies by 39 at halftime, the biggest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37 year history.

Bam Adebayo led the way with 24 scores and later said Terry had the support of the team.

"We support him. Full support," Bam said. "We are with him all the way. That's our brother ultimately."

Heat coach Spoelstra commented: "Terry is somebody who is important to everyone. He has made a real positive impact on our team.

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

Portland also won their first game after the detentions, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach in Chauncey's absence and leading the squad to a decisive 139 to 119 victory against the Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Billups and his coaching style," Splitter remarked. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' over Arrests

Speaking about the arrests for the initial occasion, league head Silver said he was "very upset" by the events of the past few days.

"There's nothing more important to the NBA and supporters than the integrity of the competition," he told a broadcaster. "And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

Silver further mentioned an NBA investigation into Rozier's conduct in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he played for the Charlotte Hornets versus the New Orleans Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We investigated the matter and were very transparent about it. And while there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the league office can't do.

"So, we've been cooperating from that point. And, of course, what they announced yesterday was an indictment.

"Moreover two and a half years later, he still hasn't been convicted of any offense, in fairness to Terry.

"Obviously, it doesn't look good, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a compromise here between protecting people's rights and investigating."

Other League Results

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

Following racking up 43 scores in a season-opening loss to the Golden State, the European star put up forty-nine scores - to go with eleven boards and 8 assists - as the Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek forward Antetokounmpo additionally had a big night with thirty-one scores, twenty rebounds and seven assists in the Bucks' 122 to 116 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Pistons even with thirty-seven scores from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, eleven rebounds and nine blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' extra-time victory over the Pelicans.