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The Heat earned a overwhelming 146 to 114 victory against the Grizzlies in their initial basketball game since player Terry Rozier was detained over alleged unlawful sports betting.

Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested in connection with a sweeping federal investigation into illegal gambling. Both men deny the allegations.

But, the Heat were not distracted as they put up 86 opening half scores to lead the Grizzlies by thirty-nine after two quarters, the biggest halftime lead in the team's 37 year existence.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with 24 points and later said Rozier had the team's full backing.

"We stand behind him. Full support," Adebayo stated. "We are with him all the way. He's like family ultimately."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Rozier is a person who is very dear to everyone. He has made a beneficial influence on our locker room.

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

The Trail Blazers also secured their initial match after the arrests, with Brazil-born Splitter stepping in as interim coach in Chauncey's absence and leading the squad to a convincing 139 to 119 victory against the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Chauncey and his coaching style," Splitter said. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

League Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' by Recent Events

Speaking about the arrests for the initial occasion, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents of the recent days.

"There's nothing more important to the league and supporters than the fairness of the game," he informed Amazon Prime. "And so I felt uneasy. It was disturbing."

The commissioner further said an NBA investigation into the player's actions in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he played for the Charlotte Hornets against the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We investigated that situation and were open about it. Although there was the unusual wagering, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

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

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

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

"Obviously, it doesn't look good, but he's been suspended, and so it is a compromise in this case between upholding rights and investigating."

Additional NBA Results

Elsewhere, Lakers player Luka Doncic scored more than 40 points for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

Following racking up 43 scores in a season-opening defeat to the Golden State, the Slovenian achieved 49 points - to go with 11 boards and eight assists - as the Lakers beat the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece player Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with 31 points, 20 boards and seven passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 win at the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Pistons even with thirty-seven scores from Kevin Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, 11 boards and nine rejections in the Spurs' extra-time victory against the Pelicans.