Denver Nuggets can't wait to take to London court for Indiana Pacers clash in NBA Global Games

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Star players for basketball team the Denver Nuggets said today that the “energetic” London crowd should help them to victory in a major NBA game held in the capital tomorrow.

The team, who flew in from the States on Monday, spoke to the Standard during a final open practice held at Clerkenwell’s CitySport gymnasium before their sold-out game against the Indiana Pacers at the O2. Italian-born forward Danilo Gallinari, 28, said: “I am very excited to be playing in London and it is a great opportunity for us as a team to showcase how good we can be.”

The 6ft 10in player added: “The London crowd will no doubt be high energy. We always aim to win a match and this match is no exception. We really, really need a win. So hopefully the support will help.”

Guard Gary Harris, 22, is making his London debut tomorrow. He said: “It’s my first time here and it seems like an awesome city. We are expecting high energy, enthusiastic fans and a great playing environment.”

Kenneth Faried, 27, the Nuggets’s power forward, was also putting in some last-minute practice. He said: “It’s great to be here. It’s always nice to play somewhere new and somewhere different, and London for us is completely different.

“This whole experience, being in a different country, that is all new to most of us, but playing in front of these fans, the London fans, that’s going to be new for all of us, so we’re all very excited.”

Head coach Michael Malone said the team were “so proud to be here representing the NBA in Europe and in particular London, which is a great city in a great country”.

The New Yorker, 45, added: “British people clearly love basketball — the game is sold out and although we know we don’t have diehard Nuggets fans in the crowd we are expecting a big, fun crowd with loads of general support and lots of energy.

“Those lucky enough to be watching can expect a defensive game with lots of scoring. I think the winning team will be the one that has the best defence, so I hope that will be us tomorrow.”

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The coach also revealed that his team had been making the most of their short time in the capital: “We had some good fish and chips, and a couple of pints of Murphy’s Stout last night. No tea yet. After a long flight and jet lag it was good to get out and then get in the gym and sweat it out.”

The showdown is part of the NBA Global Games drive, which aims to highlight the sport around the world, and is the seventh regular season fixture to take place in London.

Throughout the week, top players, including British-born John Amaechi, have been running youth engagement programmes with NBA junior league projects across the country.

NBA

The Denver Nuggets host the Indiana Pacers at The O2 in London tomorrow as part of NBA Global Games London 2017. From 8pm watch the game live on BT SPORT Facebook, on BT SPORT 2 or BT SPORT SHOWCASE

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