Philadelphia 76ers to host Boston Celtics in London

The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics will pack their bags and head across the pond to play a regular-season game at the O2 Arena in London on Jan. 11, the NBA announced on Thursday.

The contest will be the league's eighth regular-season contest in London, and it will mark the second appearance for Philadelphia and Boston after playing preseason games in London and Manchester, respectively.

"This will be our 16th game (overall) in London where our events have become an annual opportunity for basketball fans across Europe to come together and share their passion for the NBA," commissioner Adam Silver said.

The NBA London Game will feature the Atlantic Division rivals who found themselves as trade partners prior to this year's draft. The 76ers traded up to select Markelle Fultz with the top overall choice while the Celtics tabbed Jayson Tatum with the third pick.

Philadelphia's Joel Embiid is looking to lift his team to the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

"I look forward to coming back to London with the Sixers after visiting for the first time this summer," Embiid said in a statement. "We are a young, hungry team, and we will be sure to give the fans an exciting game against Boston in January."

The Denver Nuggets posted a 140-112 victory over the Indiana Pacers in last season's game in London.