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Miami Heat claimed a decisive 146 to 114 win against the Grizzlies in their initial NBA game after guard Terry Rozier was arrested over suspected illegal sports betting.

Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested in connection with a extensive federal probe into illegal gambling. Both men contest the allegations.

But, the Miami team were not distracted as they put up eighty-six opening half points to lead the Grizzlies by thirty-nine after two quarters, the biggest half-time advantage in the franchise'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. Complete backing," Bam stated. "We are with him all the way. That's our brother at the end of the day."

Miami head coach Spoelstra added: "Rozier is a person who is important to everyone. He has made a real positive impact on our locker room.

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

The Trail Blazers additionally won their initial match after the arrests, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter taking over as interim coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and guiding the team to a convincing 139-119 victory against the Golden State Warriors.

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

League Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' over Recent Events

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

"Nothing is more critical to the NBA and its fans than the integrity of the competition," he informed a broadcaster. "Therefore I felt uneasy. It was very upsetting."

Silver also said an NBA investigation into the player's conduct in March 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he participated for the Hornets versus the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We investigated that situation and were very transparent about it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, 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 working with them from that point. And, of course, what they revealed recently was an charge.

"Moreover 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 suspended, and so it is a compromise here between upholding rights and investigating."

Additional NBA Results

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic recorded over forty points for the consecutive match in a row to start the season.

After racking up forty-three points in a season-opening defeat to the Golden State, the Slovenian put up forty-nine scores - along with 11 boards and 8 assists - as the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek player Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with 31 points, twenty rebounds and 7 assists in the Bucks' 122 to 116 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons despite 37 points from Kevin Durant, while Wembanyama had 29 points, 11 boards and 9 rejections in the San Antonio Spurs' extra-time victory against the Pelicans.