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Miami Heat claimed a decisive 146 to 114 win against the Memphis Grizzlies in their first basketball match after player Terry Rozier was arrested for alleged illegal gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was additionally arrested in connection with a extensive FBI investigation into illegal gambling. Both men deny the allegations.

But, the Miami team were not distracted as they scored 86 opening half scores to be ahead of the Grizzlies by thirty-nine at halftime, the biggest half-time advantage in the team's 37-year history.

Bam Adebayo led the way with twenty-four scores and later said Rozier had the team's full backing.

"We stand behind him. Full support," Bam said. "You support him through and through. He's like family at the end of the day."

Heat coach Spoelstra added: "Terry is a person who is important to everyone. He's had a beneficial influence on our locker room.

"We send our thoughts and our care for him as he faces this."

The Trail Blazers also won their initial match after the detentions, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter taking over as temporary head coach in Billups' absence and guiding the team to a convincing 139 to 119 win over the Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Chauncey and his coaching style," Tiago said. "We're thinking of him and his family but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' over Arrests

Addressing the detentions for the initial occasion, league head Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the past few days.

"There's nothing more important to the NBA and supporters than the integrity of the game," he informed a broadcaster. "And so I felt uneasy. It was disturbing."

The commissioner also mentioned an NBA investigation into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he played for the Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We investigated that situation and were open regarding it. Although there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can do all kinds of things that the NBA is unable to.

"Therefore, we've been working with them from that point. Naturally, what they announced yesterday was an indictment.

"Moreover 30 months after, he still hasn't been convicted of any offense, in fairness to Rozier.

"Obviously, it appears unfavorable, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a compromise here between protecting people's rights and conducting an inquiry."

Additional League Outcomes

Elsewhere, Lakers player Luka Doncic scored more than 40 points for the consecutive match in a row to start the season.

After racking up forty-three scores in a season-opening loss to the Warriors, the Slovenian put up forty-nine scores - along with eleven boards and eight assists - as the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek forward Antetokounmpo also had a big night with thirty-one scores, 20 boards and 7 assists in the Bucks' 122-116 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Pistons despite thirty-seven scores from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, 11 rebounds and nine blocks in the Spurs' overtime win against the New Orleans.