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The Heat earned a overwhelming 146 to 114 win against the Grizzlies in their first NBA match after guard Terry Rozier was arrested over alleged unlawful gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Billups was also detained as part of a extensive federal investigation into sports betting. Both men deny the claims.

However, the Miami team were not distracted as they recorded eighty-six opening half points to lead Memphis by thirty-nine at halftime, the biggest halftime lead in the team's 37 year history.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with 24 points and later stated 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: "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 this."

Portland additionally won their initial match after the arrests, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and guiding the squad to a convincing 139 to 119 win over the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Billups and his coaching style," Tiago said. "Our thoughts are with him and his family but our focus is on the game."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver 'Disturbed' by Recent Events

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

"There's nothing more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of the game," he informed a broadcaster. "And so I felt uneasy. It was very upsetting."

The commissioner also mentioned an NBA investigation into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he participated 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 continued.

"We then looked into that situation and were open regarding it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, frankly, found no evidence.

"Federal authorities has legal authority... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the league office can't do.

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

"And 30 months later, he still hasn't been convicted of anything, in justice to Terry.

"Clearly, it appears unfavorable, but he's been suspended, and so it is a compromise in this case between protecting people's rights and investigating."

Other NBA Outcomes

Elsewhere, Lakers star Doncic scored more than 40 scores for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

After racking up 43 scores in a first loss to the Warriors, the Slovenian put up 49 scores - to go with eleven rebounds and 8 assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece player Antetokounmpo also had a big night with thirty-one points, twenty boards and 7 passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 victory at the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Pistons despite thirty-seven points from Kevin Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, eleven boards and nine rejections in the Spurs' overtime win against the Pelicans.