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The Heat claimed a crushing 146 to 114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA game since player Terry Rozier was arrested over alleged unlawful sports betting.

Trail Blazers head coach Billups was additionally arrested in connection with a extensive federal probe into sports betting. The two individuals deny the claims.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they recorded 86 first-half points to be ahead of Memphis by 39 at halftime, the biggest halftime lead in the franchise's 37 year history.

Adebayo led the way with 24 points and later stated Rozier had the team's full backing.

"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 Spoelstra added: "Rozier is somebody who is very dear to all of us. He's had a real positive impact on our locker room.

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

Portland also won their first game since the detentions, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach in Billups' absence and leading the team to a convincing 139-119 win against the Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Chauncey and his coaching style," Splitter said. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Silver 'Upset' over Arrests

Addressing the arrests for the first time, league head Adam Silver stated he was "very upset" by the events of the past few days.

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

The commissioner further mentioned an NBA investigation into Rozier's conduct in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he participated for the Charlotte Hornets versus the New Orleans Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

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

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

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the league office is unable to.

"So, we've been working with them from that point. And, of course, what they announced recently was an charge.

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

"Obviously, it appears unfavorable, but he's been suspended, and so it is a compromise here between protecting people's rights and conducting an inquiry."

Additional NBA Results

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers star Doncic recorded over forty scores for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

Following racking up 43 scores in a first defeat to the Golden State, the European star put up forty-nine scores - along with eleven boards and eight passes - as the Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-110.

Greek forward Antetokounmpo also had a big night with thirty-one scores, 20 rebounds and 7 assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons despite 37 points from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, 11 boards and nine rejections in the Spurs' overtime win over the Pelicans.