Heat and Clippers to play in China

Jul 16, 2012 - 3:35 PM New York, NY (Sports Network) - The NBA champion Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers will play a pair of preseason games this October in China.

This will be the sixth set of preseason games in China for the NBA. There were no games last year because of the lockout.

It marks the first time the reigning NBA champs will play in the series.

"We are coming off one of our strongest seasons ever and we're pleased our fans will have the opportunity to watch two of the NBA's most exciting teams compete," said Heidi Ueberroth, the president of NBA International. "The NBA China games will feature several of the best and most dynamic basketball players in the world and we're excited to tip off next season in Beijing and Shanghai."

The teams will meet October 11 in Beijing and three days later in Shanghai.