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The Heat secured a decisive 146 to 114 win over the Grizzlies in their initial NBA game after player Rozier was arrested over alleged unlawful gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was additionally arrested in connection with a sweeping FBI probe into sports betting. Both men contest the claims.

But, the Miami team were not distracted as they scored eighty-six opening half scores to be ahead of Memphis by thirty-nine after two quarters, the biggest halftime lead in the team's 37-year history.

Bam Adebayo led the way with twenty-four points and later said 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."

Heat coach Spoelstra commented: "Rozier is somebody who is important to everyone. He has made a beneficial influence on our team.

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

The Trail Blazers additionally secured their initial match after the detentions, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter stepping in as interim coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and leading the squad to a decisive 139 to 119 win against the Golden State Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Billups and how he coached," Splitter remarked. "We're thinking of him and his loved ones but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Adam Silver 'Upset' by Recent Events

Addressing the arrests for the first time, league head Adam Silver stated he was "very upset" by the events of the recent days.

"Nothing is more critical to the league and supporters than the fairness of the competition," he informed Amazon Prime. "Therefore I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting."

Silver further mentioned an league probe into Rozier's actions in spring 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a game he participated for the Charlotte Hornets versus the New Orleans Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

"We then looked into the matter and were very transparent about it. Although there was the unusual wagering, we, honestly, couldn't find anything.

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

"So, we've been cooperating since then. And, of course, what they revealed recently was an charge.

"And 30 months after, he has not been found guilty of any offense, in justice to Rozier.

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

Additional NBA Outcomes

In other games, Lakers player Luka Doncic scored over forty points for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

After racking up forty-three points in a first defeat to the Warriors, the Slovenian put up forty-nine points - along with eleven rebounds and eight passes - as the Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-110.

Greek player Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with thirty-one points, 20 boards and 7 passes in the Bucks' 122-116 victory at the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons despite thirty-seven scores from Durant, while Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, 11 boards and 9 blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win over the New Orleans.