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The Heat secured a decisive 146-114 win against the Grizzlies in their initial NBA game since player Terry Rozier was arrested for suspected illegal sports betting.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was additionally arrested as part of a extensive FBI probe into illegal gambling. Both men deny the claims.

However, the Miami team were not distracted as they recorded 86 first-half points to lead Memphis by thirty-nine at halftime, the largest halftime lead in the franchise's 37-year history.

Bam Adebayo led the way with twenty-four scores and afterwards said Rozier had the support of the team.

"We support him. Full support," Bam stated. "You support him through and through. That's our brother at the end of the day."

Heat coach Spoelstra commented: "Terry is a person who is important to everyone. He's had a real positive impact on our team.

"Our thoughts are with him and support for him as he faces the situation."

Portland additionally secured their initial match since the arrests, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Billups' non-attendance and leading the team to a decisive 139 to 119 win against the Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Billups and how he coached," Splitter said. "We're thinking of him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

League Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' over Recent Events

Speaking about the arrests for the first time, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents 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 very upsetting."

Silver also said an league probe into the player's conduct in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a game he played for the Hornets against the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"It was brought to our attention by the authorities and the betting companies," he continued.

"We then looked into that situation and were very transparent regarding it. And while there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can impose penalties, can take various actions that the league office can't do.

"Therefore, we've been cooperating from that point. Naturally, what they announced yesterday was an charge.

"Moreover two and a half years later, he has not been found guilty 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 here between upholding rights and investigating."

Other NBA Results

In other games, Lakers star Luka Doncic recorded more than 40 scores for the consecutive match straight to begin the campaign.

After racking up 43 points in a season-opening loss to the Golden State, the Slovenian put up 49 points - to go with eleven boards and 8 assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece player Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 points, twenty boards and seven passes in the Bucks' 122 to 116 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons despite thirty-seven scores from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, 11 rebounds and nine rejections in the Spurs' overtime win over the New Orleans.