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The Heat earned a decisive 146 to 114 win against the Memphis Grizzlies in their first basketball match since guard Rozier was detained for suspected illegal gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Billups was also detained in connection with a broad federal investigation into sports betting. Both men contest the allegations.

However, the Heat were not distracted as they scored 86 opening half points to be ahead of Memphis by thirty-nine at halftime, the largest halftime lead in the franchise's 37 year history.

Adebayo led the way with twenty-four scores and later stated Rozier had the team's full backing.

"We stand behind him. Full support," Bam stated. "We are with him all the way. That's our brother at the end of the day."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra added: "Rozier is a person who is very dear to all of us. He's had a real positive impact on our team.

"We send our thoughts and support for him as he faces this."

Portland also won their initial match after the arrests, with Brazil-born Tiago Splitter stepping in as temporary head coach in Chauncey's non-attendance and leading the team to a convincing 139 to 119 win over the Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Chauncey and his coaching style," 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 detentions for the first time, league head Adam Silver stated he was "very upset" by the events of the recent days.

"There's nothing more important to the league and supporters than the integrity of the competition," he informed Amazon Prime. "And so I felt uneasy. It was disturbing."

The commissioner further said an league probe into Rozier's actions in March 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a match he played for the Charlotte Hornets against the Pelicans, discovered no wrongdoing.

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

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

"The federal government has subpoena power... [it] can impose penalties, can do all kinds of things that the league office can't do.

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

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

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

Other League Results

In other games, Lakers player Luka Doncic scored more than 40 scores for the second game straight to begin the campaign.

After scoring forty-three scores in a first loss to the Warriors, the European star achieved 49 scores - to go with 11 rebounds and eight passes - as the Los Angeles beat the Timberwolves 128 to 110.

Greek forward Antetokounmpo additionally had a strong performance with 31 scores, twenty boards and seven passes in the Bucks' 122 to 116 win over the Raptors.

Rockets were beaten 115 to 111 by the Detroit Pistons despite 37 points from Kevin Durant, while Victor Wembanyama had 29 points, 11 rebounds and 9 blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' overtime win against the New Orleans.