NBA London Preview

The NBA comes to London’s O2 Arena tonight in a pre-season battle between Kevin Garnett’s Boston Celtics and his former team Minnesota Timberwolves.

Both sides began pre-season with wins but it is Garnett’s new team that comes to London as the favourites.

Players To Watch

Kevin Garnett : Celtics

The Big Ticket is just that tonight and people will crowd into the O2 Arena to see Garnett’s first game against the franchise he spent 12 seasons at. KG recorded 19 points and 16 rebounds in his first pre-season game as a Celtic and providing he gets enough playing time on the court tonight, it is quite possible he could improve on those numbers against a Wolves side who are unlikely to be able to guard him.

Al Jefferson : Timberwolves

22-year-old Al Jefferson was drafted straight out of high school by the Celtics back in 2004 but it was last year when the power forward really established himself as an up-and-coming star. Averaging 16PPG and 11RPG Jefferson impressed many with his low-post moves. His value was so high that the Wolves insisted he be included in the Garnett deal and tonight he has his first shot against his former employers, going up against one of his good friends Kendrick Perkins.

Paul Pierce : Celtics

Pierce must have been worried at the end of last season, with youth around him and the Celtics looking like they might get either Kevin Durrant or Greg Oden in the draft, he was running out of time. The Celtics though missed out on the top two draft picks forcing a change in direction. Out with the youth, in with the established talent. Joined by All Stars Garnett and Ray Allen, Pierce, entering his tenth year with the Celtics, now finally has a shot at a ring. The small forward is a clever scorer who averages an impressive 23.6PPG and he also contributes rebounds and assists.

Ricky Davis : Timberwolves

Another former Celtic, Davis moved to the Wolves in 2006 as part of the Wally Szczerbiak trade. Davis is a high-flyer and a great finisher on the fast break. When he is on he is very hard to guard but his inconsistency has contributed to him only making the playoffs twice and the fact the Wolves are his fifth team in his nine seasons in the NBA.

Ray Allen : Celtics

Last year Ray Allen averaged a career-high 26.2PPG for the Seattle Sonics. He will not score that many this year but the 32-year-old clearly still has a lot to offer. He still has one of the best jump-shots in the league and he is also a good passer which will be very useful given the talent around him. Although he started slowly in the Celtics first pre-season game Allen has the talent to really hurt the Wolves tonight.

Randy Foye : Timberwolves

When the Wolves drafted Randy Foye in 2006 many comparisons were made to Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat. Although his rookie season did not compare to Wade’s in 2003, he clearly has talent. His main attributes are his speed, his ability to get to the bucket and his finishing. He is not an out-and-out point guard though and he is not big enough to play shooting guard regularly, he is also very one-handed. Despite his weaknesses he has a lot of ability and should be watched tonight.

Also look out for:

Gerald Green : Timberwolves : This year’s Dunk champion should provide some highlights.

James Posey : Celtics : Defensive stopper who will be a crucial role-player for the Celtics this year.

Ryan Gomes : Timberwolves : A successful second-round draft pick for the Celtics, always plays with a lot of heart and that should continue for his new team.

Eddie House : Celtics : Can light it up off the bench.

There is good news for fans in Europe, NBA Commissioner David Stern has hinted that a regular season game may be around the corner. Foxsports.com reported yesterday:

“I think that time is coming closer," NBA commissioner David Stern said Sunday at halftime of the Toronto Raptors win over Virtus Lottomatica Roma. "That has historically been a matter of euros. It costs many euros to buy a game from a regular season because our teams do so well.

“But with the new O2 Arena in London, with the new arena in Berlin, with the proposed arena in Rome, Europe is beginning to develop buildings that look much like the ones that we have in the United States, and those buildings will yield more revenue for such a game.”

Tonight’s game which is sold out will be available to UK viewers on Five US from 7pm tonight.