Tue Oct 28 04:10:00 UTC 2025: Trail Blazers Stun Warriors Amidst Gambling Scandal Fallout

PORTLAND, OR – The Portland Trail Blazers delivered a resounding 139-119 victory over the Golden State Warriors Friday night, a remarkable feat coming just a day after head coach Chauncey Billups was arrested as part of a sweeping federal gambling probe.

Billups’ arrest on Thursday, linked to an alleged underground poker ring and collusion with organized crime, sent shockwaves through the NBA. The league immediately placed him on leave. Assistant coach Tiago Splitter stepped in as interim head coach, leading the team to a statement win against a Warriors team that entered the game with a 2-0 record.

Despite Stephen Curry’s 35-point performance for Golden State, the Blazers dominated, with eight players scoring in double digits. Deni Avdija led the charge with 26 points, followed by Jerami Grant with 22. Portland pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring Golden State 41-28, maintaining their lead for the rest of the game.

According to the FBI indictment, Billups and former NBA player Damon Jones allegedly lured victims into rigged poker games, using sophisticated cheating methods involving X-ray equipment, rigged card shufflers, and marked cards. Billups was arraigned on Thursday and released, with restrictions including surrendering his passport and prohibitions on gambling and firearm possession.

The NBA also placed Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier on leave due to a separate, but related, FBI investigation into illegal betting on NBA games.

The mood in the Blazers’ locker room was somber before the game. “It’s not an easy situation. We’re thinking about him and his family,” Avdija said.

Splitter emphasized the team’s focus on moving forward. “We’ve got to move forward, we’ve got a job to do. We have a great opportunity in front of us to have a good season with this team and I’m excited about that,” Splitter said.

The Trail Blazers (1-1) now head on a three-game road trip before returning home for their first NBA Cup game against the Denver Nuggets.

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