NBA Global Games 2016: Complete Schedule, Live Stream and More

The NBA’s push toward becoming the United States’ most popular international sport will take a big step in 2016-17 with the expansion of its Global Games series.

For the third straight year, the NBA will take regular-season trips to Mexico and London. The league will also be making its typical trip to China during the preseason, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are already in Spain.

Oklahoma City played its first Global Games matchup Monday against Real Madrid and will continue Wednesday against FC Barcelona.

The first of the China matchups will see the New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets make their way to Shanghai and Beijing later this month. They will play the first of two games on Oct. 9 at Shanghai’s Mercedes-Benz Arena before traveling to Shanghai’s LeSports Center on Oct. 12. 

Pelicans forward Anthony Davis said:

I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to play in front of the Chinese fans for the first time in our franchise’s history. During my past visits to China, I was amazed to see the fans’ love and excitement for the game of basketball. Visiting Beijing and Shanghai and interacting with the Chinese fans is going to be an incredible experience to share with my coaches and teammates.

The Rockets have been immensely popular in China since acquiring Yao Ming in the 2002 NBA draft. The team has not made a trip to the country since Ming’s return in 2004. …

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