Indiana Pacers vs. Denver Nuggets NBA game in Mexico City, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico City, Mexico): The Día de los Muertos holiday is still being celebrated in Mexico, as the NBA will stage an official regular-season game this Saturday, with the Indiana Pacers hosting the Denver Nuggets. The matchup will take place on the court at Arena Ciudad de México and is the 35th NBA game organized in Mexico on a consecutive basis.
The source notes that, apart from the United States and Canada, no other country hosts more NBA games than Mexico. Indiana enters the contest 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with three wins and six losses.
Denver is ninth in the Western Conference with four wins and three losses.
Denver’s Nikola Jokic is the player fans most want to see at Arena Ciudad de México. Despite being favorites, Jamal Murray and Jokic both said they dislike the label and do not feel it matters.
Jokic said the altitude in Mexico City could help Denver, since the team is accustomed to high altitude and rivals take a few quarters to adjust. He also said that playing eleven years alongside Murray and winning championships together has been a true privilege.
Mexico City was dressed for the occasion, as hundreds of young basketball players attended the NBA Cares clinic on Friday at the arena. Indiana players Obi Toppin, Andrew Nembhard and Kelly Oubre Jr.
shared their experience with the children, who practiced skills, agility and speed drills. Toppin drew the most attention, high-fiving the young participants, passing to them so they could score two-point baskets, and lifting one child to dunk the ball, giving them a moment to feel like NBA stars.
Children in the clinic chanted his name, treating him as a teacher to learn from.
Both teams practiced on Friday morning and gave interviews in which they downplayed their favorite status and encouraged Mexican fans to simply enjoy the event.
