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The Heat claimed a decisive 146-114 victory against the Grizzlies in their initial NBA game after player Terry Rozier was detained over suspected illegal gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Billups was additionally arrested in connection with a extensive FBI probe into sports betting. Both men contest the claims.

But, the Miami team were not distracted as they scored eighty-six opening half scores to be ahead of Memphis by 39 at halftime, the largest halftime lead in the franchise's 37 year history.

Bam Adebayo led the way with 24 scores and later said Rozier had the team's full backing.

"We stand behind him. Complete backing," Adebayo stated. "You support him through and through. That's our brother at the end of the day."

Heat coach Spoelstra added: "Rozier is a person who is important to all of us. He's had a beneficial influence on our locker room.

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

Portland additionally secured their first game since the arrests, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Billups' non-attendance and leading the squad to a convincing 139-119 win over the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Chauncey and how he coached," Splitter said. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Upset' by Recent Events

Addressing the detentions for the first time, NBA commissioner Silver said he was "very upset" by the events of the past few days.

"There's nothing more important to the NBA and supporters than the integrity of the competition," he informed a broadcaster. "And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

Silver further mentioned an league probe into Rozier's conduct in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he participated for the Charlotte Hornets versus the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

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

"We then looked into the matter and were very transparent about it. Although there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, couldn't find anything.

"Federal authorities has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can take various actions that the NBA can't do.

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

"And 30 months after, he has not been found guilty of any offense, in fairness to Terry.

"Clearly, it doesn't look good, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a compromise in this case between upholding rights and investigating."

Additional League Results

In other games, Lakers star Luka Doncic scored over forty points for the consecutive match straight to begin the campaign.

After racking up forty-three points in a first defeat to the Golden State, the European star put up forty-nine scores - along with eleven boards and 8 assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with thirty-one points, 20 rebounds and 7 assists in the Bucks' 122 to 116 win at the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons despite 37 scores from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, eleven rebounds and nine blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' extra-time victory over the Pelicans.