Three Euroleague teams to play preseason games in North America

By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Maccabi Tel Aviv will not be included when three Euroleague teams compete in five NBA preseason games from October 10-21, 2008, it was announced on Tuesday. The five games, which are part of the Euroleague American Tour, will be played by 2008 Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow, FC Barcelona and Lietuvos Rytas. The teams may face up to five NBA opponents including the Golden State Warriors, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Orlando Magic, the Toronto Raptors and possibly the Los Angeles Clippers. "These games continue our collaboration with Euroleague Basketball, as we work together to grow the game of basketball on a global basis," said NBA Commissioner David Stern. The Euroleague American Tour continues a tradition of friendly competition between the NBA and European Basketball, dating back to 1978 when Maccabi Tel Aviv played the Washington Bullets in Tel Aviv. Following the 2008 preseason schedule, 33 games will have been played between the two leagues since Euroleague Basketball was created in 2000, including 13 games during NBA Europe Live series in 2006 and 2007. "We value the chance to partner with NBA teams in their own arenas," Euroleague CEO Jordi Bertomeu said. "There are basketball fans of all types in North America whom we plan to entertain with our own distinct playing style. We are sure they will appreciate again that the international game has a lot to offer our sport." The Euroleague American Tour tips off on October 10 in Orlando, Florida, when six-time Euroleague champion CSKA Moscow makes its North American debut against the Orlando Magic. CSKA's second preseason game will take place in Toronto, Canada, when CSKA plays the Toronto Raptors on October 14. FC Barcelona plays two games as part of the Preseason Shootout, hosted by the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The 2008 NBA Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers will be Barcelona's first opponent on October 18, followed by the either Los Angeles Clippers or Toronto Raptors on October 19. For Barcelona, founded in 1926, the games in Los Angeles will be their first played in the United States. For the third consecutive year, NBA teams will also participate in preseason games abroad. The Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards will play four games in Barcelona, Berlin, London and Paris as part of NBA Europe Live 2008.