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The Heat secured a decisive 146-114 win over the Grizzlies in their initial basketball game after guard Terry Rozier was detained for alleged illegal gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was additionally detained in connection with a sweeping federal probe into illegal gambling. Both men deny the claims.

But, the Heat were focused as they recorded 86 first-half points to be ahead of Memphis by thirty-nine after two quarters, the biggest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37 year existence.

Bam Adebayo led the way with 24 points and later stated Terry had the support of the team.

"We support him. Full support," Bam said. "You support him through and through. He's like family ultimately."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Rozier is somebody who is important to all of us. He has made a beneficial influence on our team.

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

The Trail Blazers also won their initial match after the arrests, with Brazilian Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Billups' absence and leading the squad to a decisive 139-119 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Billups and his coaching style," Tiago said. "Our thoughts are with him and his family but we have a job to do."

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' by Arrests

Addressing the detentions for the first time, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the recent days.

"Nothing is more critical to the league and supporters than the fairness of the competition," he told a broadcaster. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting."

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

"We were informed by the regulators and the gambling firms," he added.

"We then looked into the matter and were very transparent regarding it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can impose penalties, can take various actions that the NBA is unable to.

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

"And two and a half years after, he still hasn't been convicted of anything, in fairness to Rozier.

"Clearly, it appears unfavorable, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a balance in this case between protecting people's rights and investigating."

Other NBA Outcomes

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers player Luka Doncic scored over forty points for the consecutive match in a row to start the season.

Following racking up forty-three scores in a first defeat to the Golden State, the European star put up 49 points - along with 11 rebounds and 8 passes - as the Los Angeles defeated the Timberwolves 128-110.

Greek player Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 points, twenty boards and 7 passes in the Bucks' 122 to 116 victory over the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons even with thirty-seven points from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, eleven rebounds and 9 blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win over the Pelicans.