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Miami Heat claimed a crushing 146 to 114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA game after guard Terry Rozier was detained over alleged illegal sports betting.

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

However, the Miami team were not distracted as they put up 86 first-half points to lead the Grizzlies by 39 after two quarters, the biggest half-time advantage in the team's 37 year history.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with twenty-four scores and later said Rozier had the support of the team.

"We support him. Complete backing," Bam said. "We are with him all the way. That's our brother ultimately."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Rozier is somebody who is important to all of us. He's had a real positive impact on our locker room.

"Our thoughts are with him and our care for him as he goes through the situation."

The Trail Blazers additionally secured their initial match after the detentions, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter taking over as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and leading the team to a decisive 139-119 win over the Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Billups and how he coached," Splitter said. "We're thinking of him and his family but we have a job to do."

League Commissioner Silver 'Upset' over Arrests

Speaking about the arrests for the initial occasion, league head Adam Silver said he was "very upset" by the incidents of the past few days.

"Nothing is more critical to the NBA and its fans than the fairness of the game," he told Amazon Prime. "And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting."

The commissioner also mentioned an NBA investigation into Rozier's conduct in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game he played for the Hornets against the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

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

"We then looked into the matter and were very transparent regarding it. Although there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, found no evidence.

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can take various actions that the NBA can't do.

"So, we've been working with them since then. And, of course, what they announced recently was an charge.

"And two and a half years later, he still hasn't been convicted of any offense, in justice to Rozier.

"Clearly, it doesn't look good, but he's been suspended, and so it is a compromise in this case between protecting people's rights and investigating."

Other League Outcomes

In other games, Lakers star Doncic recorded more than 40 points for the second game in a row to begin the campaign.

After racking up forty-three scores in a season-opening loss to the Warriors, the European star achieved forty-nine points - to go with 11 rebounds and 8 passes - as the Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece forward Antetokounmpo also had a big night with thirty-one scores, twenty rebounds and 7 passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 win at the Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons despite thirty-seven scores from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, eleven rebounds and 9 blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win against the Pelicans.