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The Heat earned a crushing 146 to 114 win against the Memphis Grizzlies in their first basketball match after guard Terry Rozier was arrested for suspected illegal sports betting.

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

But, the Heat were focused as they recorded eighty-six first-half scores to be ahead of Memphis by thirty-nine at halftime, the biggest half-time advantage in the team's 37-year existence.

Bam Adebayo led the way with twenty-four points and later stated Terry had the team's full backing.

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

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Rozier is a person who is important to all of us. He's had a beneficial influence on our team.

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

Portland also secured their first game since the detentions, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter taking over as temporary head coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and leading the team to a decisive 139-119 win over the Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Chauncey and how he coached," Tiago said. "We're thinking of him and his family but our focus is on the game."

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' over Arrests

Speaking about the detentions for the initial occasion, league head Adam Silver said he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents of the past few days.

"Nothing is more critical to the league 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 further said an NBA investigation into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he participated for the Hornets versus the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

"We were informed by the authorities and the gambling firms," he added.

"We investigated that situation and were very transparent about it. And while there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the league office can't do.

"Therefore, we've been cooperating since then. And, of course, what they revealed yesterday was an indictment.

"And 30 months later, he has not been found guilty of anything, in fairness to Rozier.

"Obviously, it doesn't look good, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a balance here between upholding rights and investigating."

Other League Outcomes

Elsewhere, Lakers player Luka Doncic scored more than 40 points for the consecutive match in a row to begin the campaign.

After scoring forty-three scores in a season-opening defeat to the Warriors, the European star put up 49 points - along with eleven boards and eight passes - as the Los Angeles beat the Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece player Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 points, 20 boards and 7 passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Pistons even with 37 points from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, eleven rebounds and 9 blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' extra-time victory against the Pelicans.