NBA eyes games in London

LONDON — NBA commissioner David Stern said Sunday the league likely would play regular-season games in London before the British capital hosts the 2012 Olympics.

Stern, however, also said the possibility of taking meaningful games to Europe was nowhere near a done deal.

"Although we have no plans on the drawing board, it has been suggested to us that we should schedule in the next three years or so some regular-season games here — more than just one — on some regular basis," Stern said before the New Jersey Nets-Miami Heat exhibition game at the O2 Arena. "It's fair to say that we'll see a minimum of one and possibly more regular-season games by 2012."

Stern sees the Olympics as a springboard to increasing the NBA's marketability in Britain, which is one of the richest countries in the world.

Dwyane Wade, possibly the most recognized player on the court, said he enjoyed the energy in the building during Sunday's exhibition game.

"We don't really grow up thinking that people will one day know us worldwide," said Wade, who scored 18 points for the Heat in the 94-92 loss to the Nets. "It's a great feeling."

The NBA has a history of playing outside North America, including a regular-season game in Tokyo in 1991. China is one of the NBA's biggest overseas markets.

Notes

• Andrei Kirilenko had 15 points and five assists, and the Utah Jazz beat the short-handed Portland Trail Blazers 93-80 in an exhibition game Sunday in Portland. Center Greg Oden finished with six points and six rebounds in 20 minutes. The Blazers did not play All-Star and former Husky Brandon Roy, who had arthroscopic knee surgery in August. Portland has purposely limited him in the exhibition season. Former Seattle Prep star Martell Webster, who fractured a bone in his foot in the exhibition opener, will be out at least eight weeks.

Carlos Boozer played in his first exhibition game for the Jazz after missing the first two exhibition games due to a sore left hamstring.

• Vince Carter made three free throws in the final 10 seconds to help the New Jersey Nets hold on for a 94-92 win over the Miami Heat in an exhibition game in London. Carter finished with 19 points and Yi Jianlian added 17 for the Nets.

• Thaddeus Young scored 17 points, Andre Igoudala added 13, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Toronto Raptors 85-79 in an exhibition game in Toronto.

• Pau Gasol had 12 points and six rebounds to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 94-89 in an exhibition game in Las Vegas. Kobe Bryant scored nine points in 25 minutes.