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NBA schedules preseason game in Winnipeg
Detroit Pistons' Ben Gordon drives around Minnesota Timberwolves players during game on Jan. 18, 2012 in Minneapolis. (JIM MONE/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES)
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Chris Wright speaks to media at the MTS Centre.
Winnipeggers looking to get their NBA fix won't have to pack up and head south to see a Timberwolves game this preseason.
The MTS Centre will play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons October 24 as part of the first-ever NBA Canada Series that will also feature a pre-season game in Montreal.
The NBA Series also marks the first time games will be held in Canada as part of the league's prestigious international preseason schedule that has included games in China, Europe and Mexico.
"The MTS Centre is extremely excited to be part of the first-ever NBA Canada Series," said Kevin Donnelly, Senior Vice President and General Manager of MTS Centre. "This preseason game will give Winnipeggers a rare opportunity to enjoy the world's most elite level of basketball on and off the court."
Timberwolves President Chris Wright said a Winnipeg stop was a natural evolution for the team, which wants to help grow the game up north.
"We love Winnipeg. It's absolutely phenomenal the growth over the past two or three years of the number of people that come down from Winnipeg to visit us at the Target Centre," said Wright during a scrum following the announcement. "The game is growing here and some of our responsibility to the game is to help grow the game.
"We want fans to come down to Minnesota. We want to be Winnipeg's team. We want to be Winnipeg's NBA team. It's great to be able to bring our squad up here and play the game."
The game is scheduled for Wednesday October 24 at 7 p.m. Tickets will go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. Prices will range from $19.50 to $199.50.
History
Updated on Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 11:34 AM CDT: Updates with more details, quotes from Chirs Wright
12:23 PM: updates with ticket prices
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