NBA: Heat to play preseason games in China versus Clippers

The Miami Heat announced Monday (Tuesday, PHL time) that the reigning NBA champions will feature in the NBA China Games 2012, playing two matches against the Los Angeles Clippers in Beijing and Shanghai. The Heat and their "Big Three" of regular season and Finals MVP LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh will compete on October 11 at the MasterCard Center in Beijing, before heading to Shanghai for an October 14 bout at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are expected to banner the Clippers. "We are coming off one of our strongest seasons ever and we're pleased our fans will have the opportunity to watch two of the NBA’s most exciting teams compete,” said Heidi Ueberroth, NBA President, International in a press release by the Heat. “The NBA China Games will feature several of the best and most dynamic basketball players in the world and we're excited to tip off next season in Beijing and Shanghai."   The participation of the Heat marks the first time the reigning NBA champs will compete in the China Games. Since 2004, China has hosted 13 preseason games, a trend that began with the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings. - AMD, GMA News