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Miami Heat earned a decisive 146-114 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA game since guard Terry Rozier was detained for alleged illegal gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Billups was also detained as part of a sweeping FBI probe into sports betting. Both men contest the allegations.

However, the Miami team were focused as they put up eighty-six opening half scores to lead the Grizzlies by thirty-nine after two quarters, the largest halftime lead in the team's 37-year existence.

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

"We stand behind him. Full support," Bam stated. "You support him through and through. That's our brother ultimately."

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Terry is a person who is very dear to everyone. He's had a real positive impact on our team.

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

The Trail Blazers also won their initial match since the detentions, with Brazil-born Splitter taking over as temporary head coach in Chauncey's absence and leading the team to a convincing 139 to 119 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Chauncey and his coaching style," Splitter remarked. "Our thoughts are with him and his family but we have a job to do."

League Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' over Arrests

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

"There's nothing more important to the NBA and its fans than the fairness of the competition," he informed a broadcaster. "And so I felt uneasy. It was disturbing."

Silver also mentioned an league probe into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he played for the Charlotte Hornets versus the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We then looked into the matter and were open about it. And while there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the NBA is unable to.

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

"And two and a half years later, he still hasn't been convicted of any offense, in fairness to Rozier.

"Obviously, 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 investigating."

Other NBA Results

In other games, Lakers star Luka Doncic recorded more than 40 points for the second game straight to start the season.

After racking up 43 points in a first loss to the Warriors, the European star put up forty-nine scores - to go with 11 boards and 8 passes - as the Lakers defeated the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece player Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 scores, 20 rebounds and 7 passes in the Bucks' 122-116 win over the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Pistons despite 37 scores from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 scores, eleven boards and 9 rejections in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win against the Pelicans.