🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat earned a decisive 146-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in their first basketball match since guard Terry Rozier was detained for alleged illegal gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Billups was additionally detained in connection with a broad FBI probe into illegal gambling. Both men contest the claims.

But, the Heat were not distracted as they put up eighty-six first-half points to lead the Grizzlies by thirty-nine after two quarters, the biggest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37-year existence.

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

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

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Terry is somebody who is very dear to all of us. He's had a real positive impact on our locker room.

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

Portland additionally won their initial match after the detentions, with Brazilian Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Chauncey's absence and guiding the squad to a decisive 139-119 victory against the Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Chauncey and how he coached," Splitter said. "We're thinking of him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver 'Disturbed' by Arrests

Speaking about the detentions for the initial occasion, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents of the past few days.

"Nothing is more critical to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition," he told a broadcaster. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting."

The commissioner further mentioned an NBA investigation into Rozier's actions in March 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he participated for the Charlotte Hornets versus the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We investigated the matter and were very transparent regarding it. Although there was the unusual wagering, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

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

"Therefore, we've been cooperating from that point. Naturally, what they revealed recently was an indictment.

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

"Clearly, 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."

Additional League Results

In other games, Lakers star Luka Doncic recorded more than 40 scores for the consecutive match in a row to start the season.

After racking up forty-three points in a first defeat to the Warriors, the Slovenian achieved 49 points - along with eleven rebounds and eight passes - as the Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece forward Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with 31 scores, twenty boards and 7 passes in the Bucks' 122 to 116 victory at the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons despite thirty-seven points from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 scores, 11 rebounds and nine blocks in the Spurs' extra-time victory against the Pelicans.