Heat in Mexico City

Dragic, Johnson each score 20 in victory over Nets.

MEXICO CITY — The Miami Heat are in full support of the NBA possibly expanding to Mexico City.

On Thursday, league commissioner Adam Silver announced they are considering putting a G League team there in an attempt to gauge interest of potentially adding a franchise.

“It would be a lot of fun,” Heat forward Kelly Olynk said. “Obviously, it’s not my decision. I think it would do really well. I think the fans would really embrace it. I think the players would love it. It’s just a matter of trying to get it. I don’t know how easy or hard it would be.”

The league also plans to open a basketball academy in Mexico City in early 2018, marking the seventh globally. It already has them in cities in Australia, China, India and Senegal.

“It will give us an opportunity, in essence, to teach young players the NBA way, the values of our game in terms of teamwork, discipline, respect for the game and, of course, fundamental skills,” Silver said. “They’ll have the opportunity to learn directly under former NBA players, former NBA coaches, NBA officials — all different members of the NBA family will participate in this opportunity here.”

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has long been a supporter of the NBA going global. He has participated in academies in the The Philippines and South Africa. Heat assistant coaches Rob Fodor and Octavio De La Grana worked a local youth camp after Friday’s practice in Mexico City.

“The first thing you need is some awareness so us also being down here [Mexico City] with games that are continued to be played down here,” Spoelstra said. “The NBA does such a phenomenal job of setting up a foundation of skill development, of teaching the game, not skipping steps, not just making it about playing as many games as you can, but it’s more about emphasis on fundamentals, of practices, the importance of learning how to play together.”

“It’s higher than Denver,” he asked. “Oh man. I’ve got a runny nose. It’s going to be a scuffle for me.” with it.”

CHRISTIAN PALMA/AP Miami Heat’s Josh Richardson drives with the ball during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday in Mexico City.