Strongest NBA lineups to vie in Beijing tonight

（People's Daily Online） 16:55, October 11, 2012

LeBron James (R) and Ray Allen of the Miami Heat play during the training on Oct. 10, 2012. On that day, the Miami Heat conducted open training in Beijing, preparing for the upcoming NBA China Open 2012 against the Los Angeles Clippers. (Xinhua/ Gong Lei)

Edited and translated by Ye Xin, People's Daily Online

On the evening of Oct. 11, basketball fans’ long-awaited NBA China Games 2012 will kick off. The first game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the reigning NBA Champion Miami Heat will be staged at the MasterCard Center in Beijing at 7:30 p.m.

This marks the sixth edition of NBA China Games and the first time for the reigning NBA Champions to compete in the event. The two teams feature nine players who have been NBA All-Stars, three NBA Finals Most Valuable Players, and five Olympic gold medalists.

The Heat's roster includes three-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James, 2006 NBA Finals MVP Dwyane Wade, seven-time NBA All-Star Chris Bosh and 2008 NBA champion Ray Allen.

The Clippers' roster includes Blake Griffin, winner of the 2011 Slam Dunk champion, five-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul, 2004 NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, and two-time NBA champion Lamar Odom.

NBA China Games 2012 will feature two games. The other game will be held on Oct. 14 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai.