Thu, July 31, 2008
NEW YORK (AFP) - Euroleague champions CSKA Moscow and rivals FC Barcelona and Lietuvos Rytas of Lithuania will visit North America in October to face National Basketball Association teams in pre-season games.
Both leagues announced the five exhibition matchups on Wednesday, with games involving the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, Toronto Raptors and possibly the Los Angeles Clippers.
"These games continue our collaboration with Euroleague as we work together to grow the game of basketball on a global basis," NBA commissioner David Stern said.
The tour continues a series of games between US and Euroleague clubs dating to 1978 when the Washington Bullets play Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. Euroleague and NBA teams played 13 games over the past two years.
"We value the chance to partner with NBA teams in their own arenas," said Euroleague chief executive Jordi Bertomeu. "We are sure (North American fans) will appreciate again that the international game has a lot to offer."
The Euroleague US tour tips off October 10 when CSKA Moscow plays for the first time in North America against the Orlando Magic. The Russian team, six-time Euroleague winners, will play at the Toronto Raptors four days later.
Five-time Lithuanian champions Lietuvos Rytas will visit the Golden State Warriors on October 21.
FC Barcelona will make its US debut in the NBA Pre-season Shootout at Los Angeles against the NBA Western Conference champion Lakers on October 18 and face either the Raptors or Clippers the following night.
NBA clubs have already announced plans to play pre-season games in Europe this year, with the Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards set for games in Barcelona, Berlin, London and Paris.
