Trip to China highlights Houston Rockets preseason schedule

The inaugural trip to China by an NBA team occurred in 2004 when the Houston Rockets ventured to the far East .

This preseason the Houston Rockets will once again travel to China for two dates versus the New Orleans Pelicans.

Prior to that trip they’ll open the preseason playing former Houston Rockets player Yao Ming‘s Shanghai Sharks. The links to the Sharks isn’t just tied to Yao Ming.  Last season the CBA’s MVP was Michael Beasley who finished his season in Houston and has signed back with the Rockets for the 2016-17 season.

In all the Rockets play 7 preseason games. The first two games will feature the Shanghai Sharks and New York Knicks at the Toyota Center prior to the team traveling East.  The trip to China is part of the NBA Global Games, China 2016 with sponsorship partner Master Kong.

Once in China the Rockets will play 2 games versus the New Orleans Pelicans once in Shanghai and the other in Beijing. Then it’s back to the States and home confines of the Toyota Center for a match versus the Grizzlies. The final 2 preseason games will feature an inner state tour against the Mavericks in Dallas and Spurs in San Antonio.

The full schedule details can be viewed in the above tweet or if you prefer below:

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Game 1, October 2nd, 6PM at Toyota Center vs Shanghai Sharks

Game 2, October 4th, 7PM  at Toyota Center vs. New York Knicks

Game 3, October 9th, 6:30AM in Shanghai China at Mercedes-Benz Arena vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Game 4, October 12th, 6:30AM in Beijing China at LeSports Center vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Game 5, October 15th, 7PM at Toyota Center vs Memphis Grizzlies

Game 6, October 19th, 7:30PM at American Airlines Arena vs Dallas Mavericks

Game 7, October 21st, 7:30 PM at AT & T Center vs. San Antonio Spurs

*All times listed are in Central Time (add an hour for EST)

All games will be broadcast locally on ROOT Sports and via radio on Sports Talk  790.

The highlight of the preseason will undoubtedly be the trip to China with several story lines of note. Other than the obvious ties to Yao Ming it will be interesting to see how Michael Beasley is received back in Shanghai.

SCS will update as free agency news develops. For now if you’re a fan who wants to follow free agency closely consider checking out my Free Agency Profiles for all 30 teams:

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