With only 30 days left until the Denver Nuggets and the Indiana Pacers battle it out on the court of The O2, the countdown to NBA Global Games London 2017 has officially begun.
While the capital is getting ready to host its seventh NBA regular-season game, Denver Nuggets star Emmanuel Mudiay spoke ahead of the trip, expressing excitement at the prospect of spending time on this side of the pond with his teammates.
Mudiay, age 20, said, “I think we’re going to have fun, but I think when we get out there on the court, it’s all business. We’re going to be locked in. But you have to enjoy life as well. Make sure you do stuff to keep you at peace. That’s a good thing for us. Taking a team trip out there, but still having a game, I think it will be fun.”
On the importance for the NBA and its teams to travel the world showcasing and displaying the game of basketball at its best outside of the US, Mudiay commented, “It’s huge. The NBA is trying to go global. They already have, but it’s even bigger now. You don’t really think London when you think basketball. You think more football or other sports, but this is going to be the NBA’s seventh regular-season game there, which means there has been a good response from the people.”
Mudiay concluded by sending a message to the talented British youngsters, who might one day dream of playing in the NBA. “I’d tell them to never stop dreaming,” said the young point guard,“Anything can happen in this world. If you feel like you have a real shot at it, then you have to keep working. Keep your faith strong. That’s one thing that I did growing up. Since I was a little kid I’ve been dreaming big. I’m still dreaming big. That’s one thing I’d tell them.”
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).
Some key figures:
1 – The Denver Nuggets are first in the league in rebounds with 1,184
2 – The Indiana Pacers are second in the league in steals with 221
6 – Indiana Pacers’ Jordan Hill recorded 6 blocks last time the Indiana Pacers and the Denver Nuggets met
17 – Despite playing 17 out of 24 games, Paul George is the Pacers’ top scorer with 370 points in total
18 – Points per game scored by Nuggets’ Wilson Chandler this season – team leading
21 – Points per game scored by Pacers’ Paul George this season – team leading
23 – Danilo Gallinari scored a team high 23 points last time the Nuggets met the Pacers
25 – The average age of the Nuggets roster on opening day was 25.8 years old
27 – The average age of the Pacers roster on opening day was 27.3 years old
234 – Points the Denver Nuggets scored against the Indiana Pacers last season
235 – Points the Indiana Pacers scored against the Denver Nuggets last season
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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