🔗 Share this article

The Heat secured a overwhelming 146-114 win against the Grizzlies in their initial NBA game since player Terry Rozier was detained over suspected unlawful gambling.

Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was also detained in connection with a sweeping FBI probe into illegal gambling. The two individuals deny the allegations.

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

Bam Adebayo top-scored with 24 points and afterwards stated Terry had the team's full backing.

"We support 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: "Rozier is a person who is very dear to everyone. He has made a real positive impact on our team.

"Our thoughts are with him and support for him as he faces the situation."

Portland also won their first game after the detentions, with Brazil-born Splitter taking over as temporary head coach in Billups' absence and leading the squad to a convincing 139 to 119 win over the Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Billups and how he coached," Splitter remarked. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but our focus is on the game."

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' by Recent Events

Speaking about the detentions for the initial occasion, NBA commissioner Silver stated he was "very upset" by the incidents of the past few days.

"Nothing is more critical to the NBA and supporters than the fairness of the game," he told Amazon Prime. "And so I felt uneasy. It was disturbing."

Silver further mentioned an NBA investigation into the player's conduct in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he played for the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We then looked into the matter and were open regarding it. Although there was the unusual wagering, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can take various actions that the NBA can't do.

"Therefore, we've been working with them since then. And, of course, what they revealed yesterday was an charge.

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

"Clearly, it doesn't look good, but he's been suspended, and so it is a balance here between upholding rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other NBA Results

In other games, Lakers player Doncic scored over forty points for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

Following scoring 43 scores in a first defeat to the Golden State, the Slovenian put up 49 scores - along with 11 boards and eight passes - as the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-110.

Greek player Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 scores, 20 rebounds and 7 passes in the Bucks' 122-116 victory over the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons even with 37 scores from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, 11 rebounds and nine blocks in the Spurs' extra-time victory against the Pelicans.