NBA Mexico '99 will mark the seventh year that NBA teams have competed in Mexico this decade. The game is part of a full slate of international competition that will highlight the 1999-2000 NBA calendar. The schedule includes the McDonald's Championship, scheduled for October 14-16 in Milan, Italy, where the reigning NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs will face five other club champions from around the world. Additionally, three-time defending Atlantic Division Champion Miami Heat and perennial Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv will meet in a preseason matchup in Tel Aviv, Israel on October 11. The Sacramento Kings and the Minnesota Timberwolves will wrap up the NBA's international competition November 6-7 when NBA action returns to Tokyo, Japan for two games.

Stephon Marbury and the Nets will fly into Mexico City for an October 24 preseason game. (Jerry Wachter/NBA Photos)

"We are pleased to bring exciting NBA action to fans around the world," said NBA Commissioner David Stern, "and Mexico continues to be a key market in our international efforts as we welcome the new millennium."

"Our commitment to Mexico and to fans throughout the Republic continues to grow," stated Rob Levine, vice president and managing director, NBA Latin America. "In addition to NBA Mexico '99, we have a full range of basketball participation programs for Mexican youth this year, including: NBA Mexico 3x3, NBA 2ball and the Sprite NBA School Challenge 1999."

Mexican entertainment leader OCESA has teamed up with the league during the past seven years to bring the excitement of NBA basketball to Mexican fans, and this year once again OCESA Deportes will take the lead as local promoter of NBA Mexico '99.

The matchup between the Nets and the Warriors on October 24 promises to be an exciting showdown between two young and exciting teams eager for a spot in the NBA's postseason.

The New Jersey Nets have a lineup that includes some of the game's brightest young stars, including 1996 NBA Rookie All-Star point guard Stephon Marbury and 1997 NBA Rookie All-Star forward Keith Van Horn. This will be Marbury's first full year with the team following the midseason trade that brought him to New Jersey from Minnesota. The dynamic duo combined for 43.1 ppg, 11.4 rpg and 10.4 apg during the 1998-99 season and Nets Head Coach Don Casey will look to combine these talents with the tenacious rebounding of All-Star center and fan favorite Jayson Williams. The 6-10 center is still recovering from a fractured right leg, but hopes to return in time for the 1999-2000 season.

The new-look Golden State Warriors are expected to be led this season by point guard Mookie Blaylock, acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in a trade on the eve of the 1999 NBA Draft. A two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team member (1993-94 and 1994-95), the 10-year veteran averaged 13.3 ppg and 5.8 apg last season. Warriors Coach P.J. Carlesimo will be looking to Blaylock and savvy veteran shooting guard John Starks to provide some experience and leadership to an otherwise young team. Golden State will also be counting on continued improvement from Antawn Jamison, the fourth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. Last year, the 6-9 forward from the University of North Carolina averaged 9.6 ppg and was voted to the 1998-99 Schick NBA All-Rookie Second-Team.

The NBA tips off its 1999-2000 regular season on Tuesday, November 2 as the 1999 NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs begin their quest to defend their title by hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at 8:00 p.m. EST, in one of 13 games scheduled on opening night of the season. The Spurs-76ers contest will be telecast by ESPN International throughout Latin America. Overall, 1999-2000 NBA regular season games will be seen in 199 countries around the world as 109 television partners air NBA programming in 41 languages reaching a global audience of 650 million households.

OCESA Deportes is an international events management agency which specializes in LIVE productions throughout Latin America. Based in Mexico City, OCESA Deportes is part of the CIE group. American Depositary Receipts (ADR's) of CIE are publicly traded on the NYSE.

SUMMARY OF NBA GAMES IN MEXICO

1992 PRESEASON GAME
10/27/92
Dallas 104 - Houston 102

1993 PRESEASON GAME
10/24/93
New York 103 - Houston 93

1994 NBA CHALLENGE - Preseason Tournament
10/28/94
San Antonio 121 - Houston 112
Seattle 133 - LA Clippers 105
10/29/94
Houston 111 - LA Clippers 103
Seattle 124 - San Antonio 95 - Championship Game

1995 NBA CHALLENGE - Preseason Tournament
10/28/95
San Antonio 125 - Washington 107
10/29/95
Detroit 110 - Washington 99

1996 NBA CHALLENGE - Preseason Tournament
10/26/96
Cleveland 104 - Phoenix 92
Dallas 107 - Utah 102
10/27/96
Utah 111 - Phoenix 105
Dallas 88 - Cleveland 86 - Championship Game

NBA MEXICO '97 -- First Regular Season Game in Mexico
12/6/97
Houston 108 - Dallas 106
* All games played at Mexico City's Palacio de los Deportes