T-wolves to Play Detroit in Winnipeg in 1st ever NBA Canada Series

Minneapolis/St. Paul - The NBA announced this afternoon in a press conference that the league will hold its first-ever NBA Canada Series this October with NBA teams playing preseason games in Montreal and Winnipeg. As part of the two-game series, the Timberwolves will face off against the Detroit Pistons on October 24 at 6:00 p.m. CT in Winnipeg at the MTS Centre. The Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks will play at the Bell Centre on Oct. 19.

Today's announcement follows the release of the Wolves' two-game Target Center 2012 preseason schedule, which features contests against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 13 and Israeli club Maccabi Bazan Haifa on Oct. 16.

"We're extremely excited to be a part of the first-ever NBA Canada Series," said Timberwolves President Chris Wright. "The NBA's outreach into Canada displays the league's commitment to expand basketball in the country and further demonstrates that this is truly a global game. We look forward to our trip up north."

NBA Canada Series marks the first time games are being held in the country as part of the league’s marquee international slate, which includes NBA China Games, NBA Europe Live and NBA Mexico Game.

The Wolves played their first international preseason game in the Dominican Republic in 2002, followed by games in Istanbul and London for 2007 NBA Europe Live, and games in London and Paris as part of 2010 NBA Europe Live. The team also traveled to Tokyo, Japan for the 1999 Regular Season Opening Games.

The remaining five games of the Wolves 2012 preseason schedule will be announced at a later date.

ANNOUNCED TIMBERWOLVES 2012 PRESEASON SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIPOFF RADIO
Oct. 13 Chicago Bulls Target Center 7:00 p.m. 830 WCCO-AM
Oct. 16 Maccabi Bazan Haifa Target Center 7:00 p.m. 830 WCCO-AM
Oct. 24 Detroit Pistons MTS Center (Winnipeg, CA) 6:00 p.m. TBD
All times Central