NBA to Host 5 NBL Teams for Preseason Exhibitions
The NBA and NBL on Tuesday announced a series of exhibition games to take place between teams from both leagues.
The games, involving 5 Australian teams and 6 NBA teams, will take place during the NBA preseason. The games will be played over the dates between Sept. 28 to Oct. 5.
It’s the latest step in the increasing links between the NBL and the NBA. It is the second year in a row that NBL teams have come to the U.S for exhibition matches.
Australian NBA Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers will play Melbourne United on Sept 28. The 76ers are also coached by former Australian national team coach Brett Brown.
Want $250 to bet on NBA futures?
The Utah Jazz will host two of the exhibition matches. Utah has Australians Joe Ingles and Dante Exum on their roster.
Australian National Basketball League owner Larry Kestelman is pleased with the expansion of the exhibition games.
“We’ve taken this up a notch,†Kestelman said.
“I knew we that could repeat it and we’re hoping to make this into an annual event. But I think this even exceeded our hopes and expectations.
“I will not lie, I was a little nervous last year about how we would perform on the world stage.
“I feel now very, very confident that our teams will make our country proud.â€
Read: Clippers Trade Austin Rivers for Washington’s Marcin Gortat
Full fixture list
Utah hosts the Perth Wildcats on Sept. 29.
The LA Clippers play former NBA player Andrew Bogut and the Sydney Kings on Sept. 30 in Honolulu.
The Phoenix Suns host the New Zealand Breakers on Oct. 3.
The Denver Nuggets welcome Perth on Oct. 5.
The Toronto Raptors meet Melbourne at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 5.
Utah hosts the Adelaide 36ers on Oct. 5.
