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The Heat earned a crushing 146-114 victory against the Grizzlies in their initial NBA game after player Rozier was arrested for alleged illegal gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was also detained in connection with a broad federal investigation into sports betting. Both men deny the allegations.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they recorded 86 first-half scores to lead Memphis by 39 after two quarters, the biggest half-time advantage in the franchise's 37 year existence.

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

"We support him. Complete backing," Adebayo said. "We are with him all the way. He's like family ultimately."

Miami head coach Spoelstra added: "Rozier is somebody who is very dear to everyone. He's had a real positive impact on our team.

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

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

"We all had great experiences with Billups and his coaching style," Splitter said. "Our thoughts are with him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Upset' by Recent Events

Addressing the arrests for the initial occasion, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents of the past few days.

"There's nothing more important to the league and supporters than the fairness of the game," he told a broadcaster. "Therefore I felt uneasy. It was very upsetting."

Silver also said an NBA investigation into Rozier's actions in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he played for the Hornets versus the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

"We were informed by the regulators and the betting companies," he continued.

"We investigated the matter and were very transparent about it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, found no evidence.

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the league office can't do.

"So, we've been working with them from that point. Naturally, 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 Terry.

"Clearly, it appears unfavorable, but he's been suspended, and so it is a balance in this case between upholding rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other NBA Outcomes

In other games, Los Angeles Lakers star Doncic recorded over forty scores for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

Following scoring 43 points in a first defeat to the Golden State, the European star achieved forty-nine points - to go with 11 boards and eight passes - as the Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-110.

Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo additionally had a big night with 31 points, 20 boards and seven passes in the Bucks' 122-116 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons even with 37 points from Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine points, 11 boards and nine rejections in the Spurs' extra-time victory against the New Orleans.