🔗 Share this article

The Heat claimed a decisive 146-114 win over the Grizzlies in their first NBA game since guard Terry Rozier was detained for alleged unlawful gambling.

Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was also detained in connection with a sweeping FBI investigation into sports betting. Both men contest the claims.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they scored eighty-six opening half points to lead Memphis by thirty-nine after two quarters, the biggest halftime lead in the franchise's 37-year history.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with twenty-four scores and afterwards said Terry had the support of the team.

"We stand behind him. Complete backing," Adebayo stated. "We are with him all the way. He's like family at the end of the day."

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

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

The Trail Blazers additionally secured their first game since the arrests, with Brazil-born Splitter taking over as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and guiding the squad to a decisive 139-119 victory against the Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Chauncey and his coaching style," Splitter remarked. "We're thinking of him and his loved ones but our focus is on the game."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' by Recent Events

Speaking about the detentions for the first time, 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 fairness of the game," he told Amazon Prime. "Therefore I felt uneasy. It was disturbing."

Silver further 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 versus the New Orleans Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

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

"Federal authorities has legal authority... [it] can impose penalties, can take various actions that the league office can't do.

"Therefore, we've been cooperating since then. Naturally, what they revealed yesterday was an charge.

"Moreover 30 months later, 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 here between upholding rights and conducting an inquiry."

Additional NBA Outcomes

In other games, Lakers star Doncic scored more than 40 scores for the consecutive match straight to start the season.

Following racking up 43 points in a first loss to the Warriors, the European star put up forty-nine scores - along with 11 rebounds and eight assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-110.

Greek player Giannis Antetokounmpo additionally had a big night with thirty-one scores, twenty boards and seven assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 win at the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Pistons even with thirty-seven scores from Kevin Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, eleven rebounds and 9 rejections in the San Antonio Spurs' extra-time victory against the Pelicans.