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Miami Heat claimed a crushing 146 to 114 victory over the Grizzlies in their first NBA game since player Terry Rozier was arrested for alleged illegal gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested in connection with a broad FBI probe into sports betting. Both men contest the claims.

But, the Heat were focused as they recorded 86 first-half points to be ahead of Memphis by 39 after two quarters, the largest halftime lead in the franchise's 37-year history.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with 24 scores and later said Rozier had the support of the team.

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

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Rozier is somebody who is very dear to all of us. He's had a real positive impact on our locker room.

"We send our thoughts and support for him as he faces this."

The Trail Blazers also won their first game after the detentions, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach in Billups' absence and leading the squad to a decisive 139-119 victory against the Golden State Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Billups and his coaching style," Tiago remarked. "We're thinking of him and his family but our focus is on the game."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver 'Disturbed' over Arrests

Speaking about the arrests for the initial occasion, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he was "very upset" by the events of the recent days.

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

The commissioner further said an NBA investigation into Rozier's conduct in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a game he participated for the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"It was brought to our attention by the authorities and the betting companies," he continued.

"We investigated that situation and were open about it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, found no evidence.

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can do all kinds of things that the league office is unable to.

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

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

"Clearly, 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 investigating."

Other League Results

In other games, Lakers player Doncic scored over forty points for the consecutive match in a row to begin the campaign.

After scoring forty-three points in a first defeat to the Warriors, the Slovenian put up 49 points - along with eleven boards and eight assists - as the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-110.

Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a big night with thirty-one points, 20 boards and seven passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 win at the Toronto Raptors.

Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons even with 37 scores from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, eleven rebounds and nine rejections in the Spurs' overtime win against the New Orleans.