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Miami Heat secured a decisive 146 to 114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their initial basketball game since guard Terry Rozier was arrested for suspected unlawful gambling.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was also arrested as part of a broad federal investigation into illegal gambling. Both men contest the allegations.

But, the Heat were focused as they recorded 86 opening half scores to be ahead of the Grizzlies by 39 at halftime, the biggest 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 said. "We are with him all the way. That's our brother at the end of the day."

Miami head coach Spoelstra commented: "Rozier is a person who is important to everyone. He's had a beneficial influence on our team.

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

The Trail Blazers additionally secured their first game after the arrests, with Brazilian Splitter taking over as temporary head coach in Chauncey's absence and guiding the squad to a convincing 139 to 119 win against the Warriors.

"We all had great experiences with Chauncey and how he coached," Tiago said. "Our thoughts are with him and his family but our focus is on the game."

League Commissioner Adam Silver 'Disturbed' by Arrests

Speaking about the arrests for the initial occasion, league head Silver said he was "deeply disturbed" by the incidents of the recent days.

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

Silver also mentioned an NBA investigation into the player's conduct in spring 2023, when there was "aberrational betting" in a game 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 very transparent about it. Although there was that aberrational betting, we, honestly, found no evidence.

"Federal authorities has subpoena power... [it] can threaten to put people in jail, can take various actions that the league office can't do.

"So, we've been cooperating from that point. And, of course, what they revealed recently was an indictment.

"Moreover 30 months later, he still hasn't been convicted of any offense, in justice to Rozier.

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

Other NBA Results

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

After scoring forty-three points in a season-opening loss 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.

From Greece player Antetokounmpo also had a strong performance with 31 scores, 20 rebounds and seven passes in the Milwaukee Bucks' 122-116 victory at the Toronto Raptors.

Houston Rockets were defeated 115-111 by the Detroit Pistons even with 37 scores from Durant, while Wembanyama had 29 points, eleven rebounds and nine rejections in the San Antonio Spurs' extra-time victory over the New Orleans.