🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat secured a decisive 146-114 victory against the Grizzlies in their initial basketball match since guard Rozier was arrested for alleged unlawful gambling.

Trail Blazers head coach Billups was also arrested in connection with a broad FBI investigation into illegal gambling. Both men deny the claims.

But, the Heat were not distracted as they scored 86 first-half points to be ahead of the Grizzlies by 39 after two quarters, the biggest halftime lead in the franchise's 37 year existence.

Bam Adebayo led the way with 24 scores and later stated Rozier had the support of the team.

"We stand behind him. Full support," Bam said. "You support him through and through. That's our brother ultimately."

Heat coach Spoelstra commented: "Terry is a person who is important to everyone. He's had a real positive impact on our team.

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

The Trail Blazers also won their first game after the detentions, with Brazilian Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and guiding the team to a convincing 139 to 119 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

"Everyone experienced great experiences with Chauncey and how he coached," Splitter said. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

League Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' by Arrests

Addressing the arrests for the first time, league head Adam Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the recent days.

"Nothing is more critical to the league and supporters than the integrity of the game," he informed Amazon Prime. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting."

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

"We were informed by the regulators and the betting companies," he continued.

"We investigated that situation and were very transparent regarding it. And while there was the unusual wagering, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

"Federal authorities has legal authority... [it] can impose penalties, can take various actions that the league office is unable to.

"Therefore, we've been working with them from that point. And, of course, what they revealed recently was an charge.

"Moreover 30 months later, he has not been found guilty of anything, in justice to Rozier.

"Clearly, it doesn't look good, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a balance here between upholding rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other NBA Results

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers player Luka Doncic scored over forty points for the consecutive match in a row to start the season.

Following scoring forty-three scores in a season-opening defeat to the Golden State, the European star achieved 49 points - along with 11 boards and 8 passes - as the Lakers defeated the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece forward Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with 31 points, 20 boards and seven passes in the Bucks' 122 to 116 victory at the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons even with thirty-seven points from Kevin Durant, while Wembanyama had 29 scores, eleven boards and nine rejections in the Spurs' overtime win against the New Orleans.