NBA London 2016: What time is it on, what channel and who's playing?

The Orlando Magic host the Toronto Raptors at the O2 Arena tonight

Tom Sheen
Thursday 14 January 2016 11:45 GMT
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The Orlando Magic host the Toronto Raptors at the O2 Arena in London tonight, marking the sixth time NBA teams will play a regular season game in the capital.

Here is your ultimate guide to the game and everything you need to know to sound like an expert.

What time is it on?

The game will tip-off at 8pm.

Where can I watch it?

Live coverage begins on BT Sport 1 from 7.45pm, while the game will also be screened in 31 Odeon cinemas around the UK as well as on NBA League Pass.

Are tickets still available?

The 20,000-seat arena sold out in about an hour but tickets can still be bought on exchange websites such as StubHub, Ticketmaster, AXS, ViaGoGo and more. A very small number are available at face value but this is one of the hottest tickets in town tonight, so expect to pay at least £100 per ticket.

Who are the teams?

ORLANDO MAGIC

Head coach - Scott Skiles: Former Orlando player who has a reputation as a hard-nosed firebrand who makes or breaks his players. Has been a head coach in the league for more than a decade but had been out of a job since 2012 before returning with the Magic.

Current record: 20-18 (8th in Eastern Conference)

Team profile: Only won 25 games in the whole of last season as one of the worst teams in the league. Under Skiles the team is playing much better defensively, while he hasn't been able to make big decisions such as benching high draft pick Victor Oladipo - a move which has worked. An exciting and very young team full of athleticism, with all the players one year older they have a great chance of reaching the play-offs for the first time since 2012.

Player to watch - Aaron Gordon: The power forward will start on the bench but the 20-year-old is one of the best dunkers in the NBA. His athleticism is off the charts even if his game is raw and a work in progress. But you should expect fireworks if the Raptors give him the chance to get to the rim.

TORONTO RAPTORS

Head coach - Dwayne Casey: The defence-first coach never had a playing career, instead beginning his coaching as a 13-year-old amateur. He has been under huge pressure in the last two seasons after good campaigns in the regular season, where he has won two division titles, ended with first round defeats in the play-offs.

Current record: 24-15 (8th in Eastern Conference)

Team profile: The Raptors won a franchise-record 49 games last season but were embarrassingly swept 4-0 in the first round by the Washington Wizards. They slowed down badly last season while their previously strong defence fell apart. GM Masai Ujiri made several defensive upgrades in the off-season and they are now one of the best teams in the East and emerging as a genuine threat to challenge LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers.

Player to watch - Kyle Lowry: DeMar DeRozan is the more eye-catching scorer, with his drives to the rim and high-flying dunking, but point guard Lowry is the man who makes this team tick. Whether that's with his passing, long-range bombing or ferocious defence, Lowry, who came back this season after an intense off-season work out, is the team's true star.

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