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Miami Heat claimed a crushing 146 to 114 victory against the Grizzlies in their initial NBA game since guard Terry Rozier was detained for alleged unlawful gambling.

Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested in connection with a sweeping federal probe into illegal gambling. Both men contest the claims.

However, the Heat were focused as they put up 86 opening half points to lead Memphis by thirty-nine after two quarters, the biggest halftime lead in the team's 37 year history.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with twenty-four points and afterwards stated Rozier had the team's full backing.

"We stand behind him. Full support," Bam said. "You support him through and through. That's our brother ultimately."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Terry is somebody who is very dear to all of us. He's had a real positive impact on our locker room.

"Our thoughts are with him and our care for him as he goes through the situation."

Portland also won their initial match after the arrests, with Brazil-born Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Billups' non-attendance and guiding the squad to a decisive 139-119 win against the Warriors.

"Everyone experienced great experiences with Billups and his coaching style," Tiago said. "We're thinking of him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Upset' by Arrests

Addressing the detentions for the first time, league head Silver said he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents of the recent days.

"Nothing is more critical to the NBA and supporters than the integrity of the competition," he told a broadcaster. "And so I felt uneasy. It was very upsetting."

Silver also mentioned an league probe into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he played for the Charlotte Hornets versus the New Orleans Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"It was brought to our attention by the regulators and the gambling firms," he added.

"We then looked into that situation and were very transparent about it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

"Federal authorities has legal authority... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the NBA is unable to.

"So, we've been working with them from that point. Naturally, what they revealed recently was an indictment.

"And two and a half years after, he still hasn't been convicted of any offense, in justice to Rozier.

"Obviously, it doesn't look good, but he's been suspended, and so it is a balance here between protecting people's rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other League Outcomes

In other games, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic scored more than 40 scores for the consecutive match in a row to start the season.

Following racking up forty-three scores in a season-opening loss to the Warriors, the European star achieved forty-nine scores - along with eleven boards and 8 passes - as the Los Angeles defeated the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece forward Giannis Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with thirty-one points, twenty boards and 7 assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons despite 37 points from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, eleven rebounds and 9 rejections in the Spurs' extra-time victory against the New Orleans.