Basketball stars from across the pond have touched down in London ahead of the NBA Global Games match in Greenwich this week.

Players from the Toronto Raptors arrived in the capital yesterday ahead of their fixture with Orlando Magic at The O2 on Thursday.

Team co-captain and starting point guard Kyle Lowry said: "I’m excited to be here in London. Trips like these are a wonderful opportunity to spread the NBA brand and we are looking forward to the next few days. The Magic are great opponents and we are hoping that the fans enjoy an exciting game."

Toronto Raptors

Established 1995

7 play-offs

The only Canadian team in the NBA

Famous players: Vince Carter, Chris Bosh, Hakeem Olajuwon, Antonio Davis, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry

Argentinian international Luis Scola added: “It is going to be fun. I watch the others teams play abroad and I think it’s a great idea.

“I think it’s fun and I’m looking forward to it. We get the chance to tour a different country, meet new fans, visit a great country. It is a trip where the guys will do stuff together, for example sightseeing, so it could help us as a team.”

Thursday’s match will be the fourth year the NBA’s regular season games have come to The O2, with last year’s fixture attracting famous faces in the crowd including Idris Elba, Little Mix, boxer Anthony Joshua and Thierry Henry.

Read more:

From last year: PICTURED - Celebrities turn out to see the NBA in Greenwich

‘I want to see where they shot all the Harry Potter movies’ – Orlando Magic star Victor Oladipo tells us why he’s looking forward to the London game

 

 

 

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NBA Global Games at the O2

 

  • New Jersey Nets 116 – Toronto Raptors 103 on March 4, 2011. The first ever regular season game in London.
  • Jersey Nets 137 – Toronto Raptors 136 (after three quarters of over time) on March 5, 2011
  • New Knicks 102 – Detroit Pistons 87 on January 17, 2013
  • Brooklyn Nets 127 – Atlanta Hawks 110 on January 16, 2014.
  • Milwaukee Bucks 95 – New York Knicks 79 on January 15, 2015

 

 

  • The Orlando Magic host the Toronto Raptors at The O2 in London on January 14 as part of NBA Global Games London 2016. The game is live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Showcase or via NBA LEAGUE PASS (www.nba.tv) and will be screened live at 31 ODEON cinemas around the country.