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Miami Heat earned a decisive 146-114 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA match since player Rozier was arrested over alleged unlawful sports betting.

Trail Blazers coach Billups was additionally arrested as part of a sweeping FBI probe into sports betting. The two individuals deny the claims.

But, the Miami team were focused as they scored eighty-six opening half points to lead Memphis by 39 at halftime, the biggest halftime lead in the team's 37 year existence.

Bam Adebayo led the way with 24 points and afterwards said Rozier had the support of the team.

"We support him. Complete backing," Adebayo said. "You support him through and through. He's like family ultimately."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Rozier is a person who is very dear to everyone. He has made a beneficial influence on our team.

"We send our thoughts and our care for him as he goes through this."

The Trail Blazers also won their initial match after the arrests, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter taking over as interim coach in Billups' non-attendance and leading the squad to a convincing 139 to 119 win over the Golden State Warriors.

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

League Commissioner Silver 'Upset' over Arrests

Addressing the detentions for the first time, NBA commissioner Adam Silver stated he was "very upset" by the events of the past few days.

"Nothing is more critical to the NBA and its fans than the integrity of the competition," he told a broadcaster. "And so I had a pit in my stomach. It was disturbing."

The commissioner further mentioned an NBA investigation into the player's conduct in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he participated for the Hornets against the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We then looked into the matter and were open about it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, found no evidence.

"Federal authorities 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 since then. And, of course, what they announced recently was an indictment.

"And two and a half years after, he has not been found guilty of any offense, in fairness to Rozier.

"Clearly, it appears unfavorable, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a compromise here between protecting people's rights and investigating."

Additional NBA Outcomes

In other games, Los Angeles Lakers player Luka Doncic recorded more than 40 points for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

Following racking up 43 scores in a season-opening loss to the Golden State, the Slovenian put up 49 points - to go with eleven rebounds and eight passes - as the Los Angeles defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek forward Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with thirty-one scores, 20 rebounds and 7 passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 victory at the Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Pistons even with thirty-seven scores from Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 scores, 11 rebounds and 9 rejections in the Spurs' overtime win against the New Orleans.