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Miami Heat earned a decisive 146-114 win against the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA match since player Rozier was arrested for suspected unlawful sports betting.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested as part of a sweeping federal investigation into illegal gambling. The two individuals deny the allegations.

However, the Miami team were not distracted as they recorded eighty-six first-half points to lead the Grizzlies by 39 after two quarters, the largest half-time advantage in the team's 37 year existence.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with 24 scores and afterwards said Rozier had the support of the team.

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

Miami head coach Spoelstra added: "Terry is somebody who is important to all of us. He has made a beneficial influence on our locker room.

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

Portland additionally won their initial match after the arrests, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter taking over as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and leading the squad to a convincing 139 to 119 victory over the Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Billups and how he coached," Tiago said. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

League Commissioner Silver 'Upset' by 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 league and supporters than the fairness of the game," he informed a broadcaster. "Therefore I felt uneasy. It was disturbing."

Silver further said an NBA investigation into Rozier's conduct in March 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he played for the Charlotte Hornets versus the New Orleans Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

"We were informed by the authorities and the betting companies," he added.

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

"Federal authorities has subpoena power... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the league office is unable to.

"So, we've been cooperating since then. Naturally, what they revealed yesterday 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 compromise in this case between protecting people's rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other League Outcomes

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers star Doncic recorded over forty points for the second game in a row to start the season.

Following racking up forty-three scores in a season-opening loss to the Warriors, the European star achieved 49 points - along with eleven boards and eight assists - as the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece forward Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 scores, twenty boards and seven passes in the Bucks' 122 to 116 win at the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons even with thirty-seven scores from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, 11 rebounds and nine blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' extra-time victory against the New Orleans.