🔗 Share this article

The Heat secured a crushing 146-114 win against the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial basketball game after guard Terry Rozier was arrested for suspected illegal sports betting.

Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested in connection with a extensive FBI probe into illegal gambling. Both men contest the allegations.

But, the Heat were focused as they put up eighty-six first-half points to lead Memphis by 39 at halftime, the largest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37-year existence.

Adebayo led the way with 24 scores and afterwards said Terry had the team's full backing.

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

Heat coach Spoelstra commented: "Rozier is a person who is important to all of us. He's had a real positive impact on our team.

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

Portland also won their first game after the detentions, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter taking over as interim coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and guiding the squad to a convincing 139-119 win over the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Billups and his coaching style," Tiago remarked. "We're thinking of him and his family but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Silver 'Upset' by Recent Events

Addressing the arrests for the initial occasion, NBA commissioner Adam 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 fairness of the competition," he informed Amazon Prime. "And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting."

The commissioner also mentioned an league probe into the player's actions in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he participated for the Hornets against the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

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

"We then looked into that situation and were very transparent about it. And while 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 NBA can't do.

"Therefore, we've been cooperating since then. And, of course, what they announced yesterday was an charge.

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

"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 conducting an inquiry."

Other NBA Outcomes

In other games, Lakers player Doncic scored over forty scores for the consecutive match straight to begin the campaign.

After racking up forty-three scores in a season-opening defeat to the Golden State, the Slovenian put up forty-nine points - to go with eleven boards and eight passes - as the Lakers beat the Timberwolves 128-110.

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

Houston Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons despite thirty-seven scores from Kevin Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, 11 rebounds and 9 rejections in the Spurs' overtime win over the New Orleans.