Unusual Betting Patterns Surrounding Play of Terry Rozier in 2023 Game with Charlotte Investigated
MIAMI (AP) —
Unusual betting patterns surrounding the play of then-Charlotte Hornets guard Terry Rozier in a game nearly two years ago are now under investigation by federal prosecutors, part of the same probe that led to the lifetime ban of Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter, the NBA confirmed Thursday.
The Investigation
The Wall Street Journal first reported the investigation, noting that Rozier — who played for the Hornets on the date in question, and now plays for the Miami Heat — has not been charged with a crime, nor has he been accused of wrongdoing.
The NBA’s Initial Investigation
The NBA said it looked into the matter at the time and did not find that any league rules were broken.
“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,”
NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in a statement, first released to The Wall Street Journal and subsequently released to The Associated Press and other outlets. “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 in Question
The game involving Rozier that is in question was played March 23, 2023, 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 not return that night, citing a foot issue, but did not play again that season. Charlotte had eight games remaining and was not in playoff contention, so it did not seem particularly unusual that Rozier was shut down for the season’s final games.
Rozier’s Performance
In that March 23 game, Rozier finished with five points, four rebounds, and two assists in that opening period — a productive quarter, but well below his usual total output for a full game.
Betting Patterns
Posts still online from March 23, 2023, show that some bettors were furious with sportsbooks that evening when it became evident that Rozier was not going to return to the Charlotte-New Orleans game after the first quarter, with many turning to social media to say that something “shady” had gone on regarding the prop bets involving his stats for that night.
A Frustrated Bettor’s Story
One frustrated bettor posted an image of a ticket for a three-leg parlay where a $65 wager would have returned $401.95. The bettor played over 6.5 goals in the Tampa Bay-Ottawa NHL game and over 8.5 rebounds for Julius Randle, both of which hit. But the ticket didn’t cash because Rozier finished well below his prop bet of 32.5 combined points, assists, and rebounds. The bettor picked Rozier to exceed those numbers.
The Investigation’s Connection to Jontay Porter
The same probe that led to the lifetime ban of Jontay Porter, the NBA confirmed Thursday, is also investigating the unusual betting patterns surrounding Rozier’s play.
Conclusion
The investigation into the unusual betting patterns surrounding Terry Rozier’s play in a 2023 game with Charlotte is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the nature of the investigation into Terry Rozier’s play?
A: The investigation is looking into unusual betting patterns surrounding Rozier’s performance in a game nearly two years ago.
Q: Has Rozier been charged with a crime?
A: No, Rozier has not been charged with a crime, nor has he been accused of wrongdoing.
Q: What is the connection between the Rozier investigation and the Jontay Porter investigation?
A: Both investigations are part of the same probe, which was initiated after the NBA received reports of unusual betting activity surrounding their performances.
