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Miami Heat earned a decisive 146-114 victory against the Grizzlies in their initial NBA match since guard Terry Rozier was arrested over suspected unlawful sports betting.

Trail Blazers coach Billups was additionally detained in connection with a extensive FBI investigation into illegal gambling. Both men deny the claims.

However, the Miami team were focused as they recorded 86 first-half points to be ahead of Memphis by 39 at halftime, the largest halftime lead in the franchise's 37-year existence.

Adebayo led the way with twenty-four scores and later said Rozier had the team's full backing.

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

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

"Our thoughts are with him and our care for him as he goes through this."

Portland additionally secured their first game since the arrests, with Brazil-born Splitter taking over as interim coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and leading the squad to a convincing 139 to 119 victory against the Warriors.

"Everyone experienced great experiences with Chauncey and his coaching style," Splitter said. "Our thoughts are with him and his family but we have a job to do."

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Upset' by Recent Events

Addressing the arrests for the first time, NBA commissioner Silver said he was "very upset" by the incidents of the recent days.

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

Silver also said an NBA investigation into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he played for the Charlotte Hornets against the New Orleans Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We investigated that situation and were open about it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, frankly, found no evidence.

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

"Therefore, we've been working with them since then. And, of course, what they announced yesterday was an indictment.

"Moreover 30 months after, he has not been found guilty of anything, 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 protecting people's rights and conducting an inquiry."

Additional League Results

Elsewhere, Lakers star Luka Doncic recorded more than 40 points for the second game in a row to begin the campaign.

After racking up forty-three scores in a season-opening loss to the Warriors, the Slovenian put up forty-nine scores - along with eleven boards and eight assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece player Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with thirty-one scores, twenty boards and 7 assists in the Bucks' 122-116 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Pistons even with thirty-seven points from Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, eleven rebounds and 9 blocks in the Spurs' overtime win against the New Orleans.