🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat earned a crushing 146-114 win against the Grizzlies in their initial basketball game after player Rozier was detained for alleged unlawful gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also detained as part of a broad federal probe into sports betting. The two individuals contest the claims.

But, the Miami team were not distracted as they recorded eighty-six opening half points to be ahead of Memphis by 39 after two quarters, the largest half-time advantage in the team's 37 year history.

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

"We support him. Complete backing," Bam said. "You support him through and through. That's our brother ultimately."

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Terry is somebody who is important to all of us. He's had a beneficial influence on our team.

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

The Trail Blazers additionally secured their first game after the arrests, with Brazil-born Splitter taking over as temporary head coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and leading the team to a convincing 139 to 119 win over the Golden State Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Chauncey and how he coached," Splitter said. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Silver 'Upset' by Recent Events

Speaking about the detentions for the first time, NBA commissioner Silver said he was "very upset" by the events of the recent days.

"Nothing is more critical to the league and supporters than the integrity of the game," he told Amazon Prime. "And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

Silver also mentioned an league probe into Rozier's actions in March 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he played for the Charlotte Hornets against the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"It was brought to our attention by the authorities and the betting companies," he added.

"We investigated that situation and were very transparent about it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can do all kinds of things that the league office can't do.

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

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

"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 investigating."

Additional League Outcomes

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic scored over forty scores for the consecutive match in a row to begin the campaign.

Following racking up 43 points in a first loss to the Golden State, the Slovenian achieved 49 scores - along with eleven boards and eight assists - as the Los Angeles defeated the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece player Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 points, 20 rebounds and 7 passes in the Bucks' 122-116 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Pistons even with 37 points from Durant, while Wembanyama had 29 scores, eleven boards and 9 rejections in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win against the New Orleans.