The 2006 NBA champions Miami Heat and the New Jersey Nets will go head-to-head in a preseason game at The O2 Arena in London on October 12 as part of NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS, the National Basketball Association and EA Sports announced today.

 

Barcelona , Berlin and Paris will also play host to NBA teams in October marking the third straight year teams have toured the continent.

 

“Our third consecutive year of NBA Europe Live is another step in our ongoing effort to bring the excitement of the NBA to our growing fan base,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern.

 

The Boston Celtics played the Minnesota Timberwolves at the O2 Arena in London last year, the Celtics winning 92-81.

 

James Bidwell, the chief executive of Visit London, said: “The return of the NBA Live Tour to London is a tremendous boost for the capital.

 

"Last year’s sell out game at The O2 attracted visitors from across the UK and Europe and bolstered London ’s reputation as the most prestigious global sporting city in the world.

 

"Visit London welcomes the return of the NBA to our capital as we continue to attract the best and biggest sporting events in the lead up to and beyond the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

 

Tickets for the game in London will go on sale tomorrow and are available from www.theo2.co.uk or by calling 0844 856 0202.

 

As well as basketball, The O2 Arena is also due to stage gymnastics during the 2012 Olympics.

 

For more information about The O2 Arena visit http://www.insidethegames.com/page.php?id=17.