NBA Betting

The strengthened its ties to China Monday when it announced preseason games in Shanghai and Beijing featuring Sacramento and Yao Ming's Houston Rockets in October 2004.
The NBA reiterated its commitment to support the development and growth of basketball in Asia, despite many sporting events being moved from that area due to the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

"We are excited about scheduling our first exhibition games in China," NBA commissioner David Stern said. "China has been our fastest growing global market and with the extraordinary success of ticket master Yao Ming, we anticipate the development of more elite players as the 2008 Beijing Olympics approach."

Details and specific dates were not announced. Ticket master.

The NBA has had increasing presence in China, establishing offices in Hong Kong and Beijing as well as holding clinics and player tours. The connection dates to the 1978-79 season, when the champion Washington Bullets (now the Washington Wizards), traveled to China to play two exhibition games against the Chinese National Team.

Extended road trip

The NBA's international preseason games this fall:

Oct. 5 - Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz in Mexico City

Oct. 7 - Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat in San Juan, P.R.

Oct. 8 - San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies in Paris

Oct. 10 - Memphis Grizzlies vs. FC Barcelona in Barcelona

The association continued when Yao was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the No. 1 pick in the 2002 draft.

"We recognize that the is committed to bring the action and excitement of the very best basketball in the world to the growing contingent of basketball fans throughout China," Director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports Sun Kanglin said.

"We are proud to bring home Yao Ming, and we extend our most sincere welcome to the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings to Shanghai," President of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of ticket master Sports Jin Guoxiang added. Ticket master.

In addition to the two games in China in 2004, the NBA also announced its international preseason schedule for October 2003.

The Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz will square off in Mexico City, Mexico on Oct. 5; the Miami Heat will battle the Philadelphia 76ers in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Oct. 7; the San Antonio Spurs will face the Memphis Grizzlies in Paris on Oct. 6; and Memphis will visit FC Barcelona on Oct. 10.

In addition, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Seattle SuperSonics will open their 2003-2004 regular season with two games at Saitama Super Arena in Japan on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1.

The rest of the 2003-04 preseason and regular season schedules will be announced at a later date.

Capitol Records recording artist Lisa Marie Presley will tip off the Finals 2003 musical entertainment with a special performance during halftime of Game 1 on Wednesday, June 4. Multi-platinum Atlantic Records singer/songwriter Jewel will perform during halftime of Game 3 on Sunday, June 8. The Finals will be televised on ABC at 8:00 p.m. (ET) beginning on June 4.
Presley will premiere her second single, “SINKING IN,” from her recently released debut album To Whom it May Concern, which is already certified gold and is nearing platinum status, and will also perform her current hit single, “LIGHTS OUT.” Jewel, who has sold 25 million albums worldwide, releases her eagerly awaited fifth album, entitled 0304, this Tuesday, June 3. She will treat fans to a special performance of her current smash single, “INTUITION.”

Vermont rockers Phish will perform the U.S. national anthem before Game 4 of the Finals on Wednesday, June 11. The band released their most recent studio record, Round Room, on Elektra Entertainment last December. Known for their marathon concerts and devoted following, the band hits the road for a nationwide tour in July.

Q: You grew up in Detroit and played for San Antonio. Can you see a Spurs-Pistons final?

A: Yeah, I can. It wouldn't be too bad for me (with) San Antonio and Detroit being my two homes.

Q: Do you prefer the Dallas Mavericks run-and-gun style or the Pistons defense-first style?

A: I like the Mavs. It's an exciting style of basketball. They're coming down firing it from all angles. It reminds you of an old game.

Q: If you're picking one player, who do you go with, Tim Duncan or Shaquille O'Neal?

A: That's tough, because Tim plays two positions. Shaq's so dominant inside. I can go get another center, and I still have Tim playing power forward. It's a toss-up.

Q: Is the influx of international players a good thing?

A: I think it'll make the guys here in America get in the gym and work on their fundamentals. Most of the guys coming over from Europe are fundamentally sound. That's what we have to see more of from our own guys.

Q: Which of today's international players do you like most?

A: Dirk (Nowitzki). He can flat out play. And the kid from Sacramento, (Peja) Stojakovich, he can flat out shoot.

Q: Is shooting a lost art?

A: I believe a lot of guys don't work out and practice. To be a shooter, you have to practice. I shot the ball 500-600 times a day (coming up), trying to get my rhythm and confidence in my jumper. If anybody ever needs any help, you can sure call Ice. Ticket master.

Q: Who reminds you most of yourself?

A: Tracy McGrady. He's about 6-9, he can put the ball on the floor, shoot the jumper, can use both hands, scores on a pretty high percentage. And he shows a pretty good disposition.

Q: Do you think you'll ever coach in the NBA?

A: I would like to, because I like to teach. I coached in the ABA in 2000 (with Detroit) and we won the championship. That gave me the feeling that I can take a bunch of guys and get them to understand our system.

Boston Celtics legend and Hall of Famer John Havlicek has eight NBA championship rings, played in 13 All-Star games and is the NBA's No. 10 all-time scorer. These days he's participating in a tour of the NBA playoffs called "Love it Live" with other former greats such as Bill Russell, Bill Walton, George Gervin and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. USA TODAY's Bob Velin caught up with Havlicek recently to talk about the NBA, then and now.