🔗 Share this article

The Heat earned a crushing 146-114 win over the Grizzlies in their initial NBA game after guard Terry Rozier was arrested for alleged unlawful sports betting.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Billups was also detained in connection with a sweeping federal investigation into illegal gambling. Both men deny the claims.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they recorded 86 first-half scores to be ahead of Memphis by thirty-nine after two quarters, the biggest halftime lead in the franchise's 37-year history.

Bam Adebayo led the way with 24 points and afterwards stated Rozier had the team's full backing.

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

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

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

The Trail Blazers also won their initial match after the detentions, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter taking over as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and guiding the team to a decisive 139-119 win over the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Billups and how he coached," Tiago remarked. "Our thoughts are with him and his family but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' by Recent Events

Speaking about 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 league and supporters than the integrity of the game," he told Amazon Prime. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting."

The commissioner further said an league probe into the player's actions in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he played for the Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We then looked into that situation and were very transparent about it. And while there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, found no evidence.

"Federal authorities has subpoena power... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the league office can't do.

"Therefore, we've been working with them since then. And, of course, what they announced yesterday was an indictment.

"Moreover two and a half years after, he has not been found guilty of any offense, in fairness to Rozier.

"Obviously, it appears unfavorable, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a compromise in this case between upholding rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other NBA Results

Elsewhere, Lakers player Luka Doncic scored more than 40 scores for the second game straight to start the season.

After scoring 43 points in a first loss to the Golden State, the Slovenian achieved forty-nine points - along with 11 rebounds and eight assists - as the Lakers beat the Timberwolves 128-110.

Greek player Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with 31 points, twenty boards and seven passes in the Bucks' 122-116 win over the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons despite 37 points from Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 points, eleven boards and nine rejections in the Spurs' extra-time victory against the New Orleans.