NEW YORK – The NBA today released its 2010 preseason schedule, which is highlighted by a comprehensive international slate of games that includes seven contests in China, Europe and Mexico. The preseason slate tips off on Oct. 3, when the New York Knicks visit Armani Jeans Milano – the former team of Knicks forward Danillo Gallinari and head coach Mike D’Antoni – in Milan, Italy, and the New Jersey Nets host Maccabi Haifa.

NBA Europe Live 2010 presented by EA SPORTS™ features single games each in Barcelona, London, Milan and Paris as part of this year’s tour. The NBA returns to London for the fourth consecutive year as Kobe Bryant and the back-to-back defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers battle Kevin Love and the Minnesota Timberwolves at The O2 on Oct. 4. The Timberwolves then head to Paris to tangle with Amar’e Stoudemire and the Knicks at Palais Omnisports Paris Bercy on Oct. 6, while the Lakers, featuring Spanish native Pau Gasol, travel to Barcelona to play defending Euroleague champion Regal FC Barcelona at Palau Sant Jordi on Oct. 7.

Preseason basketball returns to Mexico when Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and the San Antonio Spurs face Baron Davis, Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 12 in Mexico City at Palacio de los Deportes. This marks the NBA’s 19th game in Mexico overall, the most NBA games held in any country outside the United States and Canada.

The Houston Rockets, led by star center Yao Ming, and the New Jersey Nets, headlined by rising star Brook Lopez, play a pair of contests as part of NBA China Games 2010. Yao’s homecoming will begin on Oct. 13, as the Rockets and Nets tip off in Beijing at Wukesong Arena. On Oct. 16, the same teams will compete at Guangzhou International Sports Arena.

By the tip-off of the 2010-11 NBA Season on Oct. 26, the NBA will have staged a total of 105 games outside of the U.S. and Canada in 32 cities in 17 countries and territories.

Two Euroleague Basketball teams – Caja Laboral of Spain and CSKA Moscow of Russia – are slated to compete in five preseason games in the United States. CSKA Moscow visits the new look Miami Heat on Oct. 12, reigning scoring champion Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 14, and rounds out its American trip with a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 16. Caja Laboral opens its two-game slate with the Memphis Grizzlies, led by Rudy Gay and Spaniard Marc Gasol, on Oct. 14 before traveling to San Antonio to face the Spurs on Oct. 16.