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Miami Heat earned a decisive 146-114 win against the Grizzlies in their initial basketball match after guard Terry Rozier was arrested over alleged unlawful sports betting.

Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was additionally arrested in connection with a extensive federal probe into sports betting. Both men deny the allegations.

But, the Miami team were focused as they put up 86 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 afterwards said Terry had the support of the team.

"We stand behind him. Full support," Bam said. "You support him through and through. That's our brother ultimately."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Terry is a person who is very dear to all of us. He has made a real positive impact on our team.

"Our thoughts are with him and our care for him as he faces this."

Portland also won their first game after the detentions, with Brazilian Splitter taking over as interim coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and guiding the squad to a convincing 139 to 119 win over the Warriors.

"Everyone experienced great experiences with Billups and his coaching style," Splitter said. "We're thinking of him and his loved ones but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Adam Silver 'Disturbed' by Recent Events

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

"Nothing is more critical to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition," he told a broadcaster. "And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

Silver also said an league probe into the player's actions in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he participated for the Hornets against the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"It was brought to our attention by the regulators 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.

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can do all kinds of things that the NBA can't do.

"Therefore, we've been working with them since then. And, of course, what they announced recently was an charge.

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

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

Other League Outcomes

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic recorded more than 40 scores for the consecutive match straight to start the season.

Following racking up 43 scores in a season-opening loss to the Golden State, the Slovenian achieved 49 points - along with eleven boards and 8 assists - as the Los Angeles defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece player Giannis Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with 31 scores, twenty rebounds and 7 assists in the Bucks' 122 to 116 win over the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons despite 37 points from Durant, while Wembanyama had 29 points, eleven boards and nine blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win over the Pelicans.