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The Heat earned a decisive 146 to 114 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA match after player Terry Rozier was arrested over alleged illegal sports betting.

Trail Blazers coach Billups was also arrested in connection with a extensive federal investigation into sports betting. Both men deny the claims.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they put up eighty-six opening half scores to lead the Grizzlies by 39 at halftime, the largest half-time advantage in the team's 37 year existence.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with 24 scores and afterwards stated Terry had the support of the team.

"We stand behind him. Full support," Bam stated. "We are with him all the way. That's our brother at the end of the day."

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

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

Portland also secured their first game since the detentions, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter taking over as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and guiding the team to a decisive 139-119 win over the Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Billups and how he coached," Tiago said. "We're thinking of him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

League Commissioner Silver 'Upset' over Arrests

Speaking about the arrests for the first time, league head Silver said he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the recent days.

"Nothing is more critical to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition," he told Amazon Prime. "And so I felt uneasy. It was very upsetting."

Silver further mentioned an NBA investigation into Rozier's actions in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he participated for the Hornets versus the New Orleans Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"We were informed by the regulators and the gambling firms," he added.

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

"Federal authorities has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the NBA can't do.

"Therefore, we've been working with them from that point. Naturally, what they announced recently was an indictment.

"Moreover two and a half years after, he has not been found guilty of any offense, in justice to Terry.

"Obviously, it appears unfavorable, but he's been suspended, and so it is a balance in this case between upholding rights and investigating."

Other League Results

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

After scoring forty-three scores in a season-opening loss to the Golden State, the Slovenian achieved forty-nine points - to go with 11 rebounds and 8 passes - as the Lakers defeated the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

From Greece player Giannis Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with 31 scores, twenty rebounds and seven passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Pistons even with 37 points from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, eleven rebounds and nine rejections in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win over the Pelicans.