Heat & Portland Trail Blazers Claim Initial Wins Following Player Arrests
Miami scored 86 first-half points against the Grizzlies
Miami Heat earned a overwhelming 146-114 win against the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA game since player Rozier was arrested over alleged illegal gambling.
Trail Blazers coach Billups was also arrested as part of a sweeping federal investigation into illegal gambling. Both men deny the allegations.
However, the Miami team were not distracted as they scored 86 first-half points to lead the Grizzlies by 39 after two quarters, the biggest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37 year existence.
Adebayo led the way with 24 points and later said Terry had the team's full backing.
"We stand behind him. Complete backing," Adebayo said. "We are with him all the way. That's our brother at the end of the day."
Miami head coach Spoelstra added: "Terry is somebody who is important to all of us. He's had a beneficial influence on our locker room.
"Our thoughts are with him and our care for him as he faces this."
Portland additionally won their first game since the detentions, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter taking over as interim coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and guiding the team to a convincing 139 to 119 victory against the Warriors.
"Everyone experienced positive times with Billups and his coaching style," Splitter said. "We're thinking of him and his loved ones but our focus is on the game."
NBA Commissioner Silver 'Upset' by Recent Events
Speaking about the arrests for the first time, NBA commissioner Silver stated he was "very upset" by the events of the past few days.
"Nothing is more critical to the NBA and its fans than the integrity of the game," he informed a broadcaster. "And so I felt uneasy. It was disturbing."
The commissioner further said an league probe into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he participated for the Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans, found nothing untoward.
"It was brought to our attention by the regulators and the betting companies," he continued.
"We then looked into that situation and were open about it. And while there was the unusual wagering, we, honestly, found no evidence.
"Federal authorities has legal authority... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the NBA is unable to.
"So, we've been cooperating since then. And, of course, what they announced recently was an indictment.
"And 30 months later, he has not been found guilty of anything, in fairness to Terry.
"Obviously, it appears unfavorable, but he's been suspended, and so it is a compromise here between upholding rights and conducting an inquiry."
Other League Results
In other games, Los Angeles Lakers player Luka Doncic recorded more than 40 points for the consecutive match in a row to start the season.
After scoring 43 points in a first loss to the Golden State, the Slovenian put up forty-nine points - along with 11 boards and eight assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.
Greek forward Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 points, 20 boards and seven assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 victory at the Raptors.
Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Pistons despite 37 points from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 points, eleven rebounds and 9 rejections in the Spurs' extra-time victory against the Pelicans.