NBA China Games 2012 will feature two games between the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct 11 at the MasterCard Center in Beijing and Oct 14 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, the NBA announced on Monday.

This marks the sixth edition of NBA China Games and the first time the reigning NBA champion will compete in the event.

The two teams feature nine players who have been NBA All-Stars, three NBA Finals Most Valuable Players, and five Olympic gold medalists.

The Heat's roster includes three-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James, 2006 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Dwyane Wade, seven-time NBA All-Star Chris Bosh and 2008 NBA Champion Ray Allen.

The Clippers' roster includes Blake Griffin, the winner of the 2011 Slam Dunk contest, as well as five-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul, 2004 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Chauncey Billups, and two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom.

"We are coming off one of our strongest seasons ever and we're pleased our fans will have the opportunity to watch two of the NBA's most exciting teams compete," said Heidi Ueberroth, NBA President, International. "The NBA China Games will feature several of the best and most dynamic basketball players in the world and we're excited to tip off next season in Beijing and Shanghai."

Eight NBA teams will participate in a total of eight international games this October as part of the league's 2012 international preseason schedule, which also includes NBA Europe Live and the first-ever NBA Canada series.

The Dallas Mavericks will play games in Barcelona and Berlin and the Boston Celtics will play games in Istanbul and Milan against top Euroleague Basketball teams as part of NBA Europe Live.

NBA Canada series will feature the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks playing in Montreal and the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons playing in Winnipeg.

To date, the NBA has staged 107 preseason and regular season games in 17 countries and territories across Europe, the Americas and Asia since 1988.

(China Daily 07/17/2012 page24)