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Miami Heat secured a decisive 146-114 win against the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA game after guard Rozier was detained for suspected unlawful sports betting.

Trail Blazers head coach Billups was additionally detained in connection with a broad federal investigation into illegal gambling. Both men deny the allegations.

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

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

"We support him. Complete backing," Bam said. "We are with him all the way. He's like family at the end of the day."

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Rozier is somebody who is very dear to everyone. He has made a beneficial influence on our locker room.

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

Portland also won their initial match after the arrests, with Brazilian Splitter taking over as interim coach in Billups' absence and leading the squad to a decisive 139 to 119 win against the Warriors.

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

League Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' over Arrests

Speaking about the arrests for the first time, league head Adam Silver said he was "very upset" by the incidents of the past few days.

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

Silver further said an league probe into Rozier's conduct in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he played for the Hornets versus the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

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

"We investigated the matter and were open regarding it. Although there was the unusual wagering, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can impose penalties, can take various actions that the NBA is unable to.

"Therefore, we've been working with them from that point. Naturally, what they revealed recently was an charge.

"Moreover two and a half years later, he has not been found guilty of any offense, in justice to Terry.

"Clearly, it appears unfavorable, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a compromise here between protecting people's rights and investigating."

Other NBA Results

Elsewhere, Lakers star Doncic recorded more than 40 points for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

After racking up 43 scores in a first loss to the Golden State, the Slovenian achieved 49 scores - along with 11 rebounds and eight assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece player Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with 31 scores, twenty boards and seven passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 win at the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons despite 37 scores from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, 11 rebounds and 9 rejections in the Spurs' overtime win over the Pelicans.