🔗 Share this article

The Heat secured a overwhelming 146-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in their first basketball match after guard Rozier was detained over alleged illegal gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Billups was additionally detained as part of a sweeping federal probe into sports betting. The two individuals deny the claims.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they scored eighty-six opening half points to be ahead of the Grizzlies by thirty-nine after two quarters, the largest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37 year history.

Adebayo led the way with twenty-four points and later said Rozier had the team's full backing.

"We support him. Complete backing," Adebayo said. "We are with him all the way. He's like family ultimately."

Miami head coach Spoelstra added: "Rozier is somebody who is important to all of us. He's had a beneficial influence on our locker room.

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

Portland also secured their first game after the arrests, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter taking over as interim coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and leading the team to a decisive 139-119 win over the Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Chauncey and his coaching style," Tiago remarked. "We're thinking of him and his family but we have a job to do."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' over Recent Events

Addressing the arrests for the first time, NBA commissioner Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the recent days.

"There's nothing more important to the league and supporters than the fairness of the competition," he informed Amazon Prime. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

The commissioner further mentioned an NBA investigation into the player's actions in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he participated for the Charlotte Hornets versus the New Orleans Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We investigated the matter and were very transparent regarding it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, 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 can't do.

"So, we've been cooperating from that point. And, of course, what they announced recently was an charge.

"Moreover two and a half years after, he still hasn't been convicted of anything, in justice to Rozier.

"Clearly, it doesn't look good, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a balance in this case between upholding rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other League Results

In other games, Lakers player Luka Doncic scored over forty points for the consecutive match in a row to begin the campaign.

Following racking up forty-three points in a season-opening defeat to the Golden State, the European star put up 49 points - along with eleven rebounds and eight assists - as the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with 31 scores, 20 rebounds and seven assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 victory at the Raptors.

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