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2016-10-10

NBA GLOBAL GAMES CHINA RETURNS TO SHANGHAI’S MERCEDES-BENZ ARENA

he Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans tipped off China’s 2016 NBA Games at Shanghai’s Mercedes-Benz Arena last night. The NBA Global Games China 2016 presented by Master Kong showcased its first preseason game in Shanghai while a rematch will take place in Beijing on Oct. 12 at The LeSports Center.

At the start of last night’s sold-out match, which seemed to begin as a friendly game, soon turned into a ruthless battle against who could win over Shanghai’s deafening crowd. Although the Houston Rockets are more recognizable by Shanghai compared to The Pelicans, due to The Rockets being Yao Ming’s former team, the New Orleans Pelicans still put up a great game. The scoreboard was close throughout all four quarters, however during the last quarter, the Houston Rockets forward Montrezl Harrel gained a quick rebound and sprinted towards a game finishing one handed slam dunk ending the game with the Houston Rockets at 123 points and the New Orleans Pelicans at 117 points.

NBA Global Games China 2016 provided an abundant amount of on-court and off-court interactive fan activities. The NBA Cares and Jr. NBA community provided on-court activities for children and fans from all across Shanghai. On-court activities included half-court shooting contests, co-ed brand partnership shooting contests, and performances from local dance groups and DJs.

In a New Orleans Pelicans press-release, they stated “Following NBA Global Games China 2016, 13 NBA teams will have played 22 games in Greater China since 2004, in Beijing, Guangzhou, Macao, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Taipei. As part of NBA Global Games China, NBA Cares, together with NBA teams and players, has hosted more than 40 community outreach events and built 10 spaces where children and their families can learn, live and play”.

Director of Shanghai Administration of Sports Huang Yongping stated, “For the past 12 years, the NBA has played an important role in helping to promote basketball participation in Shanghai with basketball clinics, player visits and fan interactive events. The NBA Global Game in Shanghai will once again allow our fans to watch the best basketball players in the world and inspire them to pursue an active and healthy lifestyle.”