NBA fans on social media were hit with some mid-season drama from left field after federal investigators announced they're looking into unusual betting activity relating to current Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier during his time with the Hornets.
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The inquiry is part of a larger investigation into alleged match fixing in basketball. The same probe has already resulted in a guilty plea and lifetime NBA ban for former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter. Authorities believe the people who worked with Porter to manipulate his performance during two games last season used inside information to bet large amounts of money against Rozier a year earlier when he was with the Charlotte Hornets.
Many users across X, formerly known as Twitter, appeared amused about the news of another federal investigation about gambling.
And then you wonder why everyone questions the legitimacy of the NBA.
— 💰 NorthSideCapper 💰 (@NorthSideCapper) January 30, 2025
The NBA takes the gambling allegations against Terry Rozier very seriously.
Use code “FEDERALINVESTIGATION” for a $200 bonus on your first $5 wager with DraftKings, an official sports betting partner of the NBA.
— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) January 30, 2025
The NBA released a statement just moments after the investigation into the Heat guard was announced, claiming there's no reason to believe Terry Rozier was involved in any schemes.
"In March 2023, the NBA was alerted to unusual betting activity related to Terry Rozier's performance in a game between Charlotte and New Orleans," said NBA spokesman Mike Bass in a statement. "The league conducted an investigation and did not find a violation of NBA rules. We are now aware of an investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York related to this matter and have been cooperating with that investigation."
The game involving Rozier that is in question was a matchup between the Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans. Rozier played the first 9 minutes, 36 seconds of that game — and not only did he not return that night, citing a foot issue, but he did not play again that season.
Charlotte was already out of in playoff contention at that point, so it did not seem particularly unusual that Rozier was shut down for the season's final games.
