The NBA has been trying to make itself more attractive to other markets outside the USA for several years. The NBA Global Games are supposed to ensure that. Since 1990, two teams from the basketball league have been flown to different countries to promote the sport with a regular season game. In addition to Japan and Mexico, only England and France have previously been chosen as venues in Europe. But this year an NBA game will take place in Berlin for the first time.
The Orlando Magic with the German Wagner brothers Franz and Moritz will meet the Memphis Grizzlies in the Uber Arena. The two teams go into the Berlin game with very different conditions. While the Magic started the season with some difficulties, the team around star Paolo Banchero seems to have found something of themselves. With 21 wins and 17 losses, they are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Recently, the team also gave up on supposedly weaker teams like the Washington Wizards. Memphis, on the other hand, is still plagued by internal problems. Franchise face Ja Morant had also made his aversions to coach Tuomas Iisalo’s system clear to the press. There was only one win from the last six games; with 16 to 21, the Grizzlies are in 10th place in the strong Western Conference.
NBA: Berlin game exclusively on Prime Video
However, if you weren’t able to get hold of one of the coveted tickets, you can also follow the action at home. Because on January 15th the game will be broadcast live exclusively on Prime Video from 7:30 p.m. This means that League Pass or the Sky subscription, which can usually also be used to watch NBA games, have no rights for this.
Amazon’s streaming service has continued to expand its efforts in live sports. Basketball is also part of it. With NBA Nightcap there is even its own analysis show. In addition to presenter Taylor Rooks, the rotating team of experts includes former stars Blake Griffin, Steve Nash and German legend Dirk Nowitzki.
Matthias Holm has been following the goings-on in the NBA for over 10 years. One of his dreams is to see a game live – but if not in Berlin, then on stream.
