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The NBA is heading to Paris, France this week for NBA Paris Game 2023, in a regular-season matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons. The game will mark the first NBA game in Europe since Jan. 24, 2020, when the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets also played in Paris.
The game will take place at the Accor Arena in Paris on Thursday, Jan. 19. Tip-off is scheduled for 21:00 Central European Time (UTC+1). For US viewers, that is 14:00 CST in Chicago and 15:00 EST in Detroit.
Tickets to the game are already sold out. However, NBA Paris Game 2023 will air live in France on free-to-air Canal+ as well as on beIN SPORTS. It will also be available to be streamed live globally on NBA League Pass.
Top players taking part in NBA Paris Game 2023 for Chicago include two-time All-Star shooting guard Zach LaVine and two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic. Meanwhile, five-time All-Star wing DeMar DeRozan has missed the Bulls’ last three games with a right quad injury. However, DeRozan reportedly took part in a team practice on Monday and is hoping to make his return for Thursday’s game.
Top players taking part in the game for Detroit include veteran sharpshooting forward Bojan Bogdanovic and one of the NBA’s top rookies in Jaden Ivey. 21-year-old French guard Killian Hayes will also be making a highly-anticipated homecoming appearance. Alas, Detroit will be without 2021 No. 1 draft pick Cade Cunningham, who is out for the season after undergoing shin surgery last month.
As for the favorite to win the game, the Bulls are highly favored. Chicago ranks 10th in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 20-24. Meanwhile, Detroit ranks 14th in the East at 12-35.
The last time the two teams faced off was on Dec. 30, 2022. Chicago came away with a 132-118 victory over Detroit. The Bulls have also won 12 straight games against Detroit dating back to Nov. 1, 2019. However, things could be different this time around as both teams will be playing in a foreign environment.
Have the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons ever played in France ahead of NBA Paris Game 2023?
The NBA Paris Game 2023 will mark the Chicago Bulls’ third game played in France.
“It is a great honor to bring Chicago Bulls basketball back to Paris for The NBA Paris Game 2023 – an event that illustrates the league’s commitment to amplifying the national and global impact of basketball. ... We look forward to representing Chicago overseas and are grateful for the opportunity to do so," Chicago Bulls executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas said in a statement.
However, the game will mark the Detroit Pistons’ first-ever game played in France.
"The Detroit Pistons organization is excited to take on the Chicago Bulls and play our first-ever game in France. Playing a regular-season game in Paris will be a great experience for our players and coaches, and we look forward to showcasing Detroit Basketball to an international audience," Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver said in a statement.
For the NBA as a whole, Thursday’s game will mark the league's 12th game played in France since 1991.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
