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Miami Heat secured a decisive 146-114 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial NBA match since player Terry Rozier was detained over alleged illegal gambling.

Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also detained as part of a sweeping FBI probe into sports betting. Both men deny the claims.

However, the Miami team were focused as they recorded 86 opening half scores to be ahead of Memphis by thirty-nine at halftime, the biggest halftime lead in the team's 37 year history.

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

"We stand behind him. Full support," Bam said. "You support him through and through. He's like family at the end of the day."

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra commented: "Terry is somebody who is very dear to everyone. He has made a real positive impact on our team.

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

Portland also won their initial match since the arrests, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter taking over as temporary head coach in Billups' non-attendance and guiding the team to a convincing 139 to 119 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

"We all had positive times with Chauncey and how he coached," Splitter remarked. "Our thoughts are with him and his family but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Silver 'Disturbed' over Recent Events

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

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

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

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

"We investigated the matter and were open about it. And while there was the unusual wagering, we, frankly, found no evidence.

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

"Therefore, we've been working with them since then. And, of course, what they announced yesterday was an charge.

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

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

Other League Results

Elsewhere, Lakers star Doncic recorded over forty points for the consecutive match in a row to start the season.

After racking up forty-three scores in a first defeat to the Warriors, the European star put up 49 points - to go with eleven boards and eight assists - as the Lakers defeated the Timberwolves 128-110.

From Greece player Antetokounmpo also had a big night with 31 points, 20 rebounds and seven assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122 to 116 win at the Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons despite thirty-seven points from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 scores, eleven rebounds and 9 blocks in the Spurs' extra-time victory over the Pelicans.