Nuggets, Pacers to play first-ever game in Taipei

Sports Network | June 19, 2009

Taipei, Taiwan (Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets and Indiana Pacers will play the first-ever game in Taipei, the National Basketball Association announced Friday.

The preseason contest will take place at the Taipei Arena on October 8, 2009.

"October 8th will be an historic day for the NBA and for the millions of basketball fans in Taiwan," said NBA Greater China CEO Tim Chen. "Taiwan fans are very passionate about the game and we are honored to be able to present a matchup of these two great teams for them."

Taipei will become the seventh Asian city to host an NBA game, joining Beijing, Guangzhou, Macao, Shanghai, Tokyo and Yokohama.

"NBA fans in Taipei have been waiting a long time to see an NBA game in person and we are very excited to be hosting these two great teams in October," said Taipei Mayor, Mr. Hau Lung-bin. "Working together with the NBA, we plan to host an unforgettable event that will benefit our citizens and raise Taipei's profile as a premier destination for sporting events."

The game in Taipei will be the fourth preseason game this October to be played outside the United States and Canada. Chicago and Utah will battle in London on October 6, and the Jazz will go up against the Euroleague's Real Madrid in Madrid two days later. A contest in Monterrey, Mexico on October 18 will pit Phoenix against Philadelphia.