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Miami Heat earned a overwhelming 146-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in their first basketball game after player Rozier was arrested over suspected illegal gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested in connection with a broad federal investigation into illegal gambling. Both men contest the claims.

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

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

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

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Terry is somebody who is important to everyone. He has made a real positive impact on our team.

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

Portland also secured their first game after the detentions, with Brazil-born Splitter taking over as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and guiding the team to a convincing 139-119 victory against the Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Chauncey and how he coached," Splitter said. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but our focus is on the game."

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Upset' by Arrests

Speaking about the detentions for the first time, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the past few days.

"There's nothing more important to the NBA and supporters than the integrity of the competition," he informed a broadcaster. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

The commissioner further mentioned an NBA investigation into the player's conduct in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he played for the Hornets against the New Orleans 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 regarding it. And while there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the NBA is unable to.

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

"Moreover 30 months after, he still hasn't been convicted 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 investigating."

Additional League Results

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic recorded over forty points for the second game straight to start the season.

Following scoring 43 scores in a season-opening defeat to the Warriors, the European star put up 49 points - to go with eleven rebounds and 8 assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Timberwolves 128-110.

Greek player Antetokounmpo also had a big night with thirty-one scores, twenty boards and 7 passes in the Bucks' 122-116 victory at the Toronto Raptors.

Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Pistons even with thirty-seven points from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, eleven boards and nine blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' extra-time victory over the New Orleans.