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The Heat claimed a decisive 146-114 victory over the Grizzlies in their first basketball match after player Terry Rozier was arrested over suspected unlawful sports betting.

Trail Blazers head coach Billups was additionally arrested as part of a broad federal probe into illegal gambling. Both men contest the allegations.

But, the Heat were not distracted as they scored 86 first-half scores to be ahead of the Grizzlies by 39 at halftime, the largest halftime lead in the team's 37 year history.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with 24 scores and afterwards stated Terry had the support of the team.

"We support him. Full support," Adebayo said. "You support him through and through. That's our brother at the end of the day."

Miami head coach Spoelstra added: "Terry is somebody who is very dear to everyone. He has made a beneficial influence on our locker room.

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

Portland additionally won their first game after the arrests, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Billups' absence and guiding the team to a convincing 139 to 119 win against the Golden State Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Chauncey and how he coached," Splitter remarked. "Our thoughts are with him and his family but our focus is on the game."

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Upset' over Recent Events

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

"Nothing is more critical to the league and supporters than the integrity of the competition," he told Amazon Prime. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

The commissioner also mentioned an NBA investigation into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he played for the Hornets versus the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"We were informed by the regulators and the betting companies," he continued.

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

"Federal authorities has subpoena power... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the NBA can't do.

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

"Moreover two and a half years after, he has not been found guilty of any offense, in justice to Rozier.

"Clearly, it doesn't look good, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a balance in this case between protecting people's rights and conducting an inquiry."

Additional NBA Outcomes

In other games, Lakers player Doncic recorded over forty points for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

After racking up forty-three scores in a first defeat to the Warriors, the European star achieved forty-nine points - along with 11 boards and 8 passes - as the Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece player Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with 31 points, 20 rebounds and seven passes in the Bucks' 122 to 116 win at the Raptors.

Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Pistons even with 37 scores from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, 11 boards and nine rejections in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win against the Pelicans.