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

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was additionally detained as part of a sweeping federal investigation into illegal gambling. Both men contest the claims.

But, the Heat were not distracted as they scored 86 opening half scores to be ahead of the Grizzlies by 39 at halftime, the largest halftime lead in the franchise's 37 year history.

Bam Adebayo led the way with twenty-four scores and afterwards said Rozier had the team's full backing.

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

Heat coach Spoelstra commented: "Terry is a person who is important to all of us. 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 secured their first game since the arrests, with Brazil-born Splitter taking over as interim coach in Chauncey's absence and guiding the squad to a decisive 139-119 win over the Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Chauncey and his coaching style," Tiago remarked. "We're thinking of him and his loved ones but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Adam Silver 'Disturbed' over Arrests

Speaking about the detentions for the first time, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he was "very upset" by the incidents of the past few days.

"There's nothing more important to the NBA and its fans than the integrity of the competition," he informed a broadcaster. "Therefore I felt uneasy. It was very upsetting."

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

"It was brought to our attention by the authorities and the gambling firms," he added.

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

"Federal authorities has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the NBA is unable to.

"Therefore, we've been cooperating since then. Naturally, what they revealed yesterday was an charge.

"Moreover 30 months after, he has not been found guilty of anything, in fairness to Rozier.

"Clearly, it appears unfavorable, but he's been put on administrative leave, and so it is a compromise in this case between protecting people's rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other NBA Outcomes

In other games, Los Angeles Lakers player Doncic recorded over forty scores for the second game straight to start the season.

After scoring 43 scores in a first defeat to the Golden State, the European star put up forty-nine points - to go with 11 rebounds and eight assists - as the Lakers defeated the Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece forward Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with thirty-one scores, 20 boards and seven assists in the Bucks' 122-116 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Pistons even with 37 scores from Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 scores, eleven rebounds and 9 blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win over the New Orleans.