NBA sets overseas pre-season schedule

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NEW YORK, March 5 (UPI) -- NBA teams will play pre-season games next October in seven foreign countries, including Turkey, Spain and China, the league said Tuesday.

Eight teams will be deployed for the games, which are to be played Oct. 5-18.

The series is to begin Oct. 5 in Istanbul, Turkey, where the Oklahoma City Thunder would play Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul, the Turkish League champion. The final game has the Golden State Warriors playing the Los Angeles Lakers Oct. 18 in Shanghai.

Also playing overseas will be the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards.

"Providing fans with an authentic NBA experience is an important part of our efforts to grow the game globally," NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement.

"This fall, nearly a third of our teams will embark on a global tour that will celebrate the game of basketball, give our international fans a chance to connect with NBA teams and players, and leave a lasting impact in each of the communities we visit."

The NBA 2013 per-season foreign schedule:

Oct. 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul, at Istanbul, Turkey.

Oct. 6: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Uxue Bilbao Basket, at Bilbao, Spain.

Oct. 8: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers, at Manchester, England.

Oct. 10: Houston Rockets vs. Indiana Pacers, at Manila, Philippines.

Oct. 12: Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Wizards, at Rio de Janeiro.

Oct. 13: Houston Rockets vs. Indiana Pacers, at Taipei, Taiwan.

Oct. 15: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers, at Beijing.

Oct. 18: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers, at Shanghai.