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Miami Heat earned a crushing 146-114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their first NBA game after guard Terry Rozier was arrested over alleged unlawful sports betting.

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

But, the Miami team were not distracted as they recorded eighty-six first-half points to be ahead of Memphis by 39 after two quarters, the biggest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37 year existence.

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

"We stand behind him. Full support," Adebayo said. "You support him through and through. He's like family at the end of the day."

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Rozier is a person who is important to everyone. He has made a real positive impact on our team.

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

Portland also secured their initial match after the detentions, with Brazil-born Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Billups' absence and leading the team to a convincing 139 to 119 victory against the Golden State Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Chauncey and how he coached," Tiago remarked. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' over Arrests

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

"There's nothing more important to the NBA and its fans than the fairness of the game," he told a broadcaster. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

Silver also mentioned an league probe into Rozier's actions in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he played for the Hornets versus the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"It was brought to our attention by the authorities and the gambling firms," he continued.

"We then looked into the matter and were very transparent about it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, found no evidence.

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the league office is unable to.

"Therefore, we've been cooperating from that point. Naturally, what they revealed recently was an indictment.

"And 30 months later, he has not been found guilty of any offense, in justice to Terry.

"Obviously, it appears unfavorable, but he's been suspended, and so it is a balance in this case between protecting people's rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other League Outcomes

In other games, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic recorded over forty points for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

Following racking up 43 scores in a first defeat to the Golden State, the European star put up 49 points - to go with eleven rebounds and eight passes - as the Los Angeles defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo additionally had a big night with thirty-one scores, twenty boards and 7 assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 victory at the Toronto Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Pistons despite 37 points from Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 points, 11 rebounds and 9 blocks in the Spurs' extra-time victory against the New Orleans.