Magic seek international game
If the Orlando Magic get their wish, they’ll play overseas at some point during the 2018-19 preseason or regular season, preferably in the Far East.
Magic officials have informed the NBA they want to play outside the U.S. and Canada at some point in 2018-19, the Orlando Sentinel has learned.
A trip to Asia is the Magic’s top choice, partly because of Asia’s importance to Amway.
Magic owner and senior chairman cofounded Amway.
“In addition to extending the Magic brand internationally, what we always hope to achieve on these international trips is to visit a location that does serve other business interests, and that would include Amway,” Magic CEO told the Sentinel.
“The Amway business is very strong in the Far East. As we talk to the league about our preferences of where to go, which doesn’t necessarily dictate where you go, at the top of our list are those Far East locations.”
The Magic have made six trips to play outside the U.S. or Canada.
In October 1993, they played two exhibitions in London against the Atlanta Hawks.
In November 1996, they traveled to Tokyo for a pair of regular-season games against the New Jersey Nets. The Magic won both games, thanks largely to
who averaged 26.0 points in those contests.
In October 2007, the Magic played an exhibition game in Shanghai and two exhibitions in Macau, China.
In October 2012, they opened their preseason in Mexico City against the New Orleans Hornets.
In October 2015, the Magic traveled to Rio de Janeiro for a preseason game against the Brazilian team Flamengo. And during the 2015-16 regular season, they returned to London for a game in January against the Toronto Raptors. The Magic lost 106-103 in overtime, despite 27 points from
and 21 points from
The NBA continues make inroads overseas.
This past preseason, the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves played an exhibition game in Shenzhen, China, and an exhibition in Shanghai.
In December, the NBA will hold a pair of regularseason games in Mexico City, with the Brooklyn Nets playing the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 7 and the Nets facing the Miami Heat on Dec. 9.
And the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics will play in London on Jan. 11.
The NBA hasn’t announced any of its 2018-19
to Global Games participants or locations yet. Global Games announcements typically aren’t made until the preceding spring at the earliest.
“We’ve just made it known that the Far East locations are those that we’re most interested in,” Martins said. Power forward
likely will play when the Magic host the Brooklyn Nets tonight at the Amway Center.
Gordon missed the Magic’s last two games because of a sore left ankle, but Gordon worked out fully with his teammates Monday.
“Aaron practiced and looked fine, so I’m expecting him to play,” coach
said. Point guard
who strained his left hamstring when the Magic lost to the Nets 126-121 Friday, will not play tonight, Vogel and team officials said.
Rookie and have manned the power forward spot during Gordon’s absence. Isaac picked up three quick fouls during the loss in Brooklyn.
The Nets gathered offensive rebounds and used an up-tempo style as they compiled 60 points in the paint.
“That game taught us a lot,” Vogel said. “Brooklyn’s for real this year. It’s a completely different team in my mind. They’re a hard-charging team, leading the league in points per game right now . ... We got a firsthand look at how difficult they are to guard the other night, and we’re going to have to put our defensive hard hat on to win this game tomorrow night. It’s not going to be an easy game.”