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Miami Heat secured a decisive 146 to 114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial basketball game since player Terry Rozier was arrested for suspected illegal sports betting.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Billups was also arrested as part of a broad federal investigation into illegal gambling. The two individuals contest the allegations.

However, the Miami team were focused as they scored 86 first-half scores to be ahead of the Grizzlies by 39 at halftime, the biggest half-time advantage in the team's 37-year existence.

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

"We stand behind him. Complete backing," Bam stated. "We are with him all the way. That's our brother ultimately."

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

"We send our thoughts and support for him as he goes through the situation."

Portland also secured their initial match after the arrests, with Brazil-born Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and guiding the team to a convincing 139 to 119 victory against the Warriors.

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

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' over Arrests

Speaking about the arrests for the first time, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents of the recent days.

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

The commissioner also said an NBA investigation into the player's actions in March 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he participated for the Hornets versus the New Orleans Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"We were informed by the authorities and the gambling firms," he continued.

"We then looked into the matter and were very transparent about it. And while there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, found no evidence.

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the league office can't do.

"So, we've been cooperating since then. Naturally, what they announced yesterday was an indictment.

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

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

Other NBA Results

In other games, Los Angeles Lakers star Doncic scored more than 40 points for the second game straight to start the season.

After scoring 43 scores in a season-opening defeat to the Warriors, the European star put up 49 scores - along with eleven boards and 8 passes - as the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek player Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with 31 points, 20 rebounds and seven passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Pistons despite thirty-seven scores from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 scores, eleven rebounds and nine blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win against the Pelicans.