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

Portland Trail Blazers coach Billups was also arrested as part of a sweeping federal investigation into illegal gambling. The two individuals deny the claims.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they put up eighty-six opening half scores to be ahead of the Grizzlies by 39 after two quarters, the largest halftime lead in the team's 37 year existence.

Bam Adebayo top-scored with 24 points and later said Terry had the support of the team.

"We support him. Complete backing," Adebayo stated. "We are with him all the way. He's like family at the end of the day."

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Rozier is a person who is important to everyone. He's had a real positive impact on our team.

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

Portland additionally secured their first game since the arrests, with Brazilian Tiago Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Billups' absence and guiding the squad to a convincing 139 to 119 victory over the Warriors.

"Everyone experienced positive times with Billups and his coaching style," Tiago remarked. "We're thinking of him and his loved ones but we have a job to do."

NBA Commissioner Silver 'Upset' by Arrests

Speaking about the detentions for the first time, league head Adam Silver stated he was "deeply disturbed" by the events of the past few days.

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

The commissioner also mentioned an league probe into Rozier's conduct in March 2023, when there was "unusual wagering" in a match he participated for the Charlotte Hornets against the Pelicans, found nothing untoward.

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

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

"The federal government has legal authority... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the league office is unable to.

"Therefore, we've been working with them since then. Naturally, what they announced recently was an indictment.

"And two and a half years after, he still hasn't been convicted of anything, in justice to Terry.

"Obviously, it doesn't look good, but he's been suspended, and so it is a balance in this case between protecting people's rights and conducting an inquiry."

Other League Results

In other games, Lakers player Luka Doncic scored over forty scores for the second game straight to start the season.

After racking up 43 scores in a season-opening loss to the Warriors, the European star achieved 49 points - along with 11 rebounds and eight assists - as the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece forward Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with thirty-one points, twenty boards and seven assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 victory over the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were beaten 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons even with 37 points from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had twenty-nine scores, eleven rebounds and nine blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win over the New Orleans.