The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York is currently investigating unusual betting patterns associated with a game involving NBA player Terry Rozier. The match in question took place on March 23, 2023, featuring the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans. This investigation coincides with a similar probe that led to the lifetime ban of Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, raising concerns about integrity within the sport.
During the March 23 game, Terry Rozier played the first nine minutes and 36 seconds before leaving the court due to a foot issue, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Some sportsbooks had offered prop bets on Rozier's performance that night, setting expectations at approximately 21.5 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. A bettor wagered on Rozier to surpass these figures, with the potential to win $1.1 million if he met or exceeded the targets.
The NBA conducted an investigation into the matter at that time and concluded that no league rules were violated. Mike Bass, an NBA spokesman, confirmed, "The league conducted an investigation and did not find a violation of NBA rules." Despite this, the U.S. Attorney's Office has initiated its own inquiry, although they have not provided any immediate comments regarding their ongoing investigation.
Terry Rozier's attorney, Jim Trusty, maintains confidence in his client's innocence. He stated, "We are aware of the NBA's 2023 investigation which determined there was absolutely no wrongdoing by Mr. Rozier and we are confident that the ongoing government investigation will arrive at the exact same conclusion." As of now, Rozier has neither been charged with any crime nor accused of any misconduct.
The backdrop of this investigation is highlighted by a similar case involving Jontay Porter. The NBA banned Porter for life after it was discovered he had disclosed confidential information to sports bettors and placed wagers on games. Porter was specifically accused of providing a bettor with details about his health status before a game, resulting in another individual placing an $80,000 bet on Porter failing to meet his performance numbers.
Terry Rozier continues his career with the Miami Heat and is in the third year of a four-year contract worth $96.3 million. The investigation into the betting patterns surrounding his 2023 performance underscores the ongoing efforts to preserve the integrity of sports amidst rising concerns over gambling influences.
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