The association will be taking its show on the road to England where London's O2 Arena will stage the latest instalment of the NBA Global Games when the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Boston Celtics. The league's increasing international popularity means a sell-out crowd is expected for the only NBA game in the capital this season, but these ballers still have some way to go if they want to reach the status of those in the Premier League. Mike Fox tells us why.

Like the NFL it's the overseas appeal that grabs the attention of basketball in England. Limited opportunities to watches the sport's finest often means packed houses and as the Philadelphia 76ers ran a training session at a school in London, the presents of Premier League football club Crystal Palace certainly helped the children's interaction. Still, despite the main purpose for the game being to increase the leagues branding power, for the two teams it all about the action on the court.

BRETT BROWN PHILADELPHIA COACH "We're trying to see it and look at it as a real opportunity. I understand we lost a home game, I understand we brought a team overseas but I think if I look at this the way I am, and my background in international travel and international basketball helps me see it this way. We're going to make this a positive."

In the UK to say that football has the majority of sports viewership would be a massive understatement. Rugby and cricket don't even come close as the next most popular events and the country's basketball is mainly played on a semi professional basis. But with players like Boston's Kyrie Irving on view, the English fans will be able to see why the game has a huge following around the globe.

J.J. REDICK PHILADELPHIA GUARD "There's something that drives me crazy about Kyrie (Irving) and it's that he's got multiple superpowers. It's frustrating. He's actually got three superpowers. Most NBA players have one and he's got three."

As for the game itself, Philadelphia will be hoping to continue their good form, after stringing together four back-to-back wins and an upset against Eastern conference leaders will help them move into the playoff positions. The Celtics on the other hand, will take some stopping after winning six games in a row.

AL HORFORD BOSTON CENTER "I feel like we have the potential to be really good, really special. But we have a way to go, our guys are still figuring it out but our guys are really happy with the position we are in right now."

The O2 Arena has welcomed acts such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Katy Perry and as another American export takes centre stage, we can expect similar frenzy come tip-off. Mike Fox CGTN.