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Miami Heat earned a crushing 146 to 114 victory against the Grizzlies in their initial basketball game after guard Terry Rozier was arrested over alleged illegal gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested as part of a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal gambling. The two individuals contest the claims.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they recorded 86 opening half scores to be ahead of Memphis by thirty-nine at halftime, the largest halftime lead in the team's 37 year existence.

Adebayo led the way with 24 points and afterwards stated Terry had the support of the team.

"We stand behind him. Complete backing," Bam stated. "We are with him all the way. That's our brother ultimately."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Terry is a person who is very dear to everyone. He's had a beneficial influence on our team.

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

Portland also won their initial match since the arrests, with Brazil-born Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Billups' non-attendance and leading the squad to a decisive 139 to 119 win against the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Chauncey and how he coached," Splitter said. "We're thinking of him and his family but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' by Recent Events

Addressing the arrests for the initial occasion, NBA commissioner Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the recent days.

"There's nothing more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition," he informed Amazon Prime. "Therefore I felt uneasy. It was disturbing."

Silver also mentioned an NBA investigation into Rozier's conduct in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a game he participated for the Hornets versus the New Orleans Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

"It was brought to our attention by the regulators and the gambling firms," he added.

"We investigated that situation and were open about it. Although there was the unusual wagering, we, honestly, found no evidence.

"Federal authorities has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can take various actions that the league office can't do.

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

"And 30 months after, he still hasn't been convicted of anything, in fairness to Terry.

"Clearly, it doesn't look good, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a balance in this case between upholding rights and investigating."

Additional League Outcomes

In other games, Los Angeles Lakers player Luka Doncic recorded more than 40 points for the second game in a row to start the season.

After racking up forty-three points in a first loss to the Golden State, the Slovenian achieved forty-nine scores - to go with eleven rebounds and 8 assists - as the Los Angeles defeated the Timberwolves 128-110.

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

Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Pistons despite 37 points from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, 11 rebounds and 9 blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win over the New Orleans.