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NBA fans will chant all sorts of things to get into the heads of their opponents, especially while shooting free throws.
Well, Los Angeles Clippers fans decided to taunt the Portland Trail Blazers about the recent illegal gambling bombshell that led to the arrest of head coach Chauncey Billups last week.
Clippers fans chanted “FBI” as the Blazers made free throws during Los Angeles’ 114-107 victory Sunday night.
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Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups leaves the Mark O. Hatfield US Courthouse following a hearing following his arrest on federal gambling charges in Portland, Oregon, US on October 23, 2025. (John Rudoff/Reuters)
It’s been less than a week since Billups was arrested along with more than two dozen people in a massive FBI investigation for his alleged involvement in a gambling ring involving rigged poker games and sports betting.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and former NBA guard Damon Jones were also among those arrested by the FBI in connection with the two separate gambling cases.
Billups, through a statement from his attorney, denied any wrongdoing as he is allegedly part of the rigged poker games the FBI was investigating. He was charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering.
“Anyone who knows Chauncey Billups knows he is a man of integrity; men of integrity do not cheat and deceive others,” read a statement from attorney Chris Heywood.
NBA HALL OF FAMER CHAUNCEY BILLUPS DENYS WRONGFULNESS AFTER ARREST IN FBI GAMBLING PROBE
“To believe that Chauncey Billups did what the federal government is accusing him of is to believe that he would risk his Hall of Fame legacy, his reputation and his freedom. He would not jeopardize those things for anything, let alone a game of cards.”
Heywood asserted that Billups “never has and would never gamble on basketball games, give inside information or sacrifice the trust of his team and the league as it would tarnish the game he has devoted his entire life to.”
Billups and his legal team intend to fight the allegations “with the same tenacity that characterized his 28-year career.”
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups watches from the sidelines during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on April 6, 2025. (Soobum Im/Imagn Images)
The poker games were allegedly linked to the La Cosa Nostra crime families, with Billups and Jones, dubbed the “face cards”, allegedly used as celebrity figures to entice competitors to play in the games.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that in April 2019, Billups was among five defendants who “organized and participated in rigged poker games” in Las Vegas in which a “rigged mixing machine” was used. One victim of the game is said to have lost at least $50,000. Another defendant texted another co-conspirator that Billups should intentionally lose a hand to avoid cheating allegations.
Also during that fight, a defendant said one of the victims “acted like he wanted Chauncey to have his money” because he was “star-struck” by the NBA legend, according to officials.
Billups and Rozier were both placed on immediate leave by the NBA last Thursday.
“We are aware of the allegations involving head coach Chauncey Billups and the Trail Blazers are cooperating fully with the investigation,” the team said. “Billups has been placed on immediate leave and Tiago Splitter will assume head coaching duties in the interim. Any further questions should be directed to the NBA.”
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups listens during a news conference Friday, June 27, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (Jenny Kane/AP)
Billups is due to appear in court at a federal courthouse in New York on November 24.
In Billups’ absence, the Trail Blazers will be led by interim head coach Tiago Splitter, the former Brazilian star for the San Antonio Spurs. The Trail Blazers are 1-2 to start the season.
