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The Heat claimed a crushing 146-114 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in their first NBA match since player Terry Rozier was arrested over alleged illegal gambling.

Trail Blazers head coach Billups was also arrested as part of a sweeping FBI investigation into sports betting. Both men deny the claims.

However, the Miami team were not distracted as they recorded 86 opening half scores to lead Memphis by 39 at halftime, the largest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37 year existence.

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

"We support him. Complete backing," Bam said. "You support him through and through. That's our brother ultimately."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Terry 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 faces this."

Portland additionally won their first game since the arrests, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter taking over as temporary head coach in Chauncey's absence and leading the team to a convincing 139 to 119 victory against the Golden State Warriors.

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

League Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' by Arrests

Addressing the detentions for the initial occasion, league head Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the past few days.

"There's nothing more important to the NBA and its fans than the fairness of the competition," he told Amazon Prime. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting."

The commissioner also mentioned an NBA investigation into the player's actions in March 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he played for the Hornets against the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We then looked into the matter and were open about it. And while there was the unusual wagering, we, honestly, found no evidence.

"Federal authorities has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can take various actions that the league office can't do.

"So, we've been cooperating since then. Naturally, what they announced yesterday was an indictment.

"And two and a half years after, he still hasn't been convicted of any offense, in justice to Terry.

"Obviously, it doesn't look good, but he's been suspended, and so it is a compromise here between protecting people's rights and investigating."

Other NBA Results

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers player Doncic recorded over forty points for the consecutive match straight to begin the campaign.

Following scoring forty-three points in a season-opening loss to the Golden State, the Slovenian put up 49 points - to go with eleven boards and eight assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece forward Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with thirty-one scores, twenty boards and seven passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 win at the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Pistons even with 37 points from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 scores, 11 rebounds and 9 rejections in the Spurs' extra-time victory against the New Orleans.