Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets to play in Japan next preseason Globe_Sports
The NBA played 12 regular-season games in Japan between 1990 and 2003. These preseason matchups will be the first time the league has returned to Japan since.“Bringing NBA preseason games to Japan will help accelerate the growth of basketball in a country that features a thriving sports culture and one of the world’s largest economies,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.
The preseason games will come about nine months before the start of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. There are pro leagues in Japan, and the nation is one of the 32 teams that will appear in the FIBA World Cup in China this summer. “You have only to look at our organization to know that we truly believe basketball is a global game,” Raptors President Masai Ujiri said. “We come from all over the world, and we are all connected through the love of our sport. We are looking forward to sharing that with basketball fans in Japan.”
There have been two Japanese-born players in the NBA. Yuta Tabuse played in four games for Phoenix in 2004-05, and Yuta Watanabe has appeared in 10 games with Memphis this season.“Our organization has a great appreciation for our global fan base, and we enthusiastically embrace the NBA’s efforts to grow the game internationally,” Rockets CEO Tad Brown said.
The NBA also has preseason games planned for India and China next season. Indiana and Sacramento will play in India, the NBA’s first-ever games there. Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Lakers will play in China.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Raps, Rockets to play in Japan next preseason - TSN.caToronto and Houston will play a pair of preseason games in Japan next season. The NBA announced Monday night that the Raptors and Rockets will play on Oct. 8 and Oct. 10 at the Saitama Super Arena.
Read more »
Raptors will play a pair of games in Japan next preseasonToronto and Houston will play a pair of preseason games in Japan next season.
Read more »
Raptors to play pre-season games against Rockets in Tokyo - Sportsnet.caThe Toronto Raptors will play the Houston Rockets in Tokyo, Japan as part of their pre-season schedule this season, the league confirmed.
Read more »
Raptors slim favourites at home to Rockets on NBA odds - Sportsnet.caThe Toronto Raptors will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 112-107 overtime loss in Detroit when they return home on Tuesday to take on the visiting Houston Rockets as 3.5-point favourites on the NBA odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Read more »
Rockets give their take on Raptors' use of 'load management' with LeonardJames Harden, Chris Paul, and head coach Mike D'Antoni talk about how they're preparing to take on the Raptors and offer up their thoughts on Kawhi Leonard's 'load management' strategy going into the playoffs.
Read more »
Kawhi Leonard scores 38 points to lead Toronto Raptors to hard-fought victory over PortlandLeonard also hit a last-second winner, as C.J. McCollum’s 35 points were not enough to to help the Trail Blazers win.
Read more »
Raptors' Kawhi Leonard won't play Sunday vs. Pistons - Sportsnet.caKawhi Leonard will not be available for the Toronto Raptors when they take on the Detroit Pistons tonight due to load management.
Read more »
Late rally carries the undefeated Toronto Wolfpack past Dewsbury Rams in rugby league playLate rally carries the undefeated Toronto Wolfpack past Dewsbury Rams in rugby league play Globe_Sports
Read more »
Ferrari's Leclerc sets fastest time of preseason tests - TSN.caFerrari newcomer Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap time so far in Formula One preseason testing in northeastern Spain on Thursday.
Read more »
Tellez’s first homer of preseason helps lift Blue Jays over YankeesThe Globe and Mail's baseball coverage includes breaking news, in-depth analysis and features about the MLB.
Read more »