🔗 Share this article

Miami Heat secured a overwhelming 146-114 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial basketball game after guard Rozier was arrested over alleged illegal sports betting.

Trail Blazers coach Billups was also arrested in connection with a sweeping federal probe into sports betting. Both men contest the allegations.

But, the Miami team were not distracted as they recorded 86 first-half scores to be ahead of the Grizzlies by thirty-nine after two quarters, the largest halftime lead in the franchise's 37-year existence.

Bam Adebayo led the way with 24 scores and afterwards said Rozier had the support of the team.

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

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Terry is somebody who is very dear to all of us. He has made a real positive impact on our team.

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

The Trail Blazers additionally won their initial match after the arrests, with Brazilian Splitter taking over as interim coach in Billups' absence and guiding the team to a convincing 139-119 victory against the Warriors.

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

League Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' over Arrests

Speaking about the detentions for the first time, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents of the recent days.

"Nothing is more critical to the NBA and supporters than the integrity of the competition," he informed Amazon Prime. "And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting."

Silver further mentioned an NBA investigation into the player's conduct in March 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a game he participated for the Hornets against the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"We were informed by the authorities and the gambling firms," he continued.

"We then looked into the matter and were very transparent about it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, frankly, couldn't find anything.

"Federal authorities has legal authority... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can do all kinds of things that the league office is unable to.

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

"And 30 months later, he still hasn't been convicted of anything, in justice to Rozier.

"Clearly, it doesn't look good, but he's been suspended, and so it is a compromise here between protecting people's rights and investigating."

Additional NBA Outcomes

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

Following racking up forty-three scores in a season-opening defeat to the Golden State, the European star achieved 49 points - along with 11 rebounds and 8 assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with thirty-one points, 20 rebounds and 7 assists in the Bucks' 122 to 116 win over the Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons even with 37 points from Durant, while Wembanyama had 29 scores, 11 boards and nine rejections in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win against the New Orleans.