Nuggets & Pacers Ready For NBA London 2017

Image credit: NBAE/Getty Images

The annual NBA regular season contest at The O2 Arena takes place this week with Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets looking forward to their game in London.

The two teams lock horns in North Greenwich on Thursday evening, and landed in the capital on Monday ahead of the anticipated clash.

“We’re honoured to be a part of the NBA Global Games,”said Denver Nuggets Head Coach, Mike Malone. “Spending some time away it’s an opportunity to bond, build team chemistry and we hope that’ll translate onto the court.

“We’ve had an up and down season so far but we’re a young team and I hope this trip will help us come together more as a team which will be great for all of us.

“I’m not sure how many of our guys have been to London before so it’s an opportunity to come to a great city, a great country and for the team to expand their horizons and experience a different culture. I hope we’ll have time to enjoy the trip and have a bit of fun as well.

“Everybody’s excited and we know we’re going to have a great time.”

Indiana Pacers Head Coach Nate McMillan added: “It’s an important game for both groups. It’s not an exhibition game – the players will be playing hard to win the game.

“It’s not a vacation for the teams travelling to London. It’s a regular season game and it’s important.

“We need to continue to win to try and separate ourselves here in the East. We’re looking forward to the game, and hopefully winning the game.”

The Pacers head into the game with a 20-18 record with Paul George leading the team with 22.5 points per game, while the Nuggets are 14-23 with Italian Danilo Gallinari averaging 17.1 points per outing.

The Denver Nuggets host the Indiana Pacers at The O2 in London on Jan. 12 as part of NBA Global Games London 2017. The game is live on BT Sport or via NBA LEAGUE PASS (www.nba.tv).

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