Heat guard Terry Rozier has been linked to a federal betting investigation since January. (Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
Amid an ongoing federal gambling probe linked to Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, more details were obtained and disclosed regarding the investigation on Friday.
According to ESPN’s David Purdum, a professional bettor placed a total of 30 wagers on Rozier’s unders for points, rebounds and assists in a March 23, 2023, game when he was with the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Rozier finished with just five points, four rebounds and two assists and left after 10 minutes with a foot issue.
Here is an excerpt from Purdum’s report:
“On the morning of March 23, 2023, a bettor at a sportsbook in Biloxi, Mississippi, placed $13,759 in bets on the unders on Rozier’s statistics in a game that night between the Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans, according to the documents, which ESPN acquired through an open records request,” the report read. “All 30 bets won, after Rozier, an eight-year veteran with the Hornets at the time, exited 10 minutes into the game, citing a foot issue.
“In all, at least six sportsbooks in multiple states detected suspicious betting on Rozier props that day, with the bulk of the activity occurring in Louisiana and Mississippi, according to sources familiar with a report issued by U.S. Integrity, a firm that monitors the betting market for abnormalities.
“The NBA investigated the unusual activity in 2023 and found that no league rules were violated. … The bettor in Biloxi placed the bets at Harrah’s Gulf Coast on the under on Rozier’s points, rebounds and assists, according to a list of wagers included in the documents. The largest bet, a $2,700 wager on under 5.5 rebounds for Rozier, was made over the counter, using a casino player’s card.”
According to Purdum’s report, Rozier was not listed on the Hornets’ pregame injury report and the alleged bettor won north of $13K as a result.
He has been tied to this federal investigation since January, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. There is still no evidence that Rozier has been linked to any wrongdoing, but this report appears quite damning.
The 6-foot-2 guard is entering the final year of his contract with the Miami Heat. Roughly 95 percent of his $26.6 million contract ($24.9M) is guaranteed, one of six Heat standard contracts that are expiring.
***
This is a developing news story. Stay tuned for updates.
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!