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

Portland Trail Blazers coach Billups was also detained in connection with a sweeping FBI investigation into illegal gambling. Both men contest the allegations.

However, the Miami team were focused as they put up eighty-six opening half points to lead the Grizzlies by 39 at halftime, the largest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37 year history.

Bam Adebayo led the way with 24 scores and later said Rozier had the team's full backing.

"We support him. Full support," Adebayo stated. "We are with him all the way. He's like family at the end of the day."

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra added: "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 our care for him as he goes through this."

Portland also secured their first game after the detentions, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter taking over as temporary head coach in Billups' absence and guiding the team to a convincing 139-119 victory over the Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Billups and his coaching style," Splitter remarked. "We're thinking of him and his family but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Silver 'Upset' by Arrests

Speaking about the detentions for the initial occasion, league head Adam Silver said he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the past few days.

"Nothing is more critical to the league and supporters than the fairness of the game," he told Amazon Prime. "And so I felt uneasy. It was very upsetting."

Silver also said an NBA investigation into Rozier's actions in March 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a game he played for the Charlotte Hornets versus the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We investigated that situation and were very transparent regarding it. And while there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, found no evidence.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the league office is unable to.

"So, we've been working with them from that point. Naturally, what they revealed yesterday was an indictment.

"And two and a half years later, he has not been found guilty of anything, 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 protecting people's rights and conducting an inquiry."

Additional League Outcomes

Elsewhere, Los Angeles Lakers player Luka Doncic scored over forty points for the consecutive match in a row to begin the campaign.

Following scoring 43 points in a first loss to the Warriors, the European star put up 49 points - along with 11 rebounds and 8 assists - as the Los Angeles beat the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece forward Giannis Antetokounmpo also had a big night with thirty-one points, 20 boards and seven assists in the Bucks' 122-116 win over the Raptors.

Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons even with 37 scores from Durant, while Wembanyama had 29 scores, eleven boards and 9 rejections in the San Antonio Spurs' extra-time victory against the New Orleans.