National Basketball Association

Report: Magic to play preseason game in Brazil

Published Apr. 16, 2015 12:45 p.m. ET

foxsports

Get your passports ready, Orlando Magic fans - your team is headed to Brazil.

According to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, the Magic will travel to Rio De Janeiro to play a preseason game against Brazilian team Flamengo on Oct. 17 at HSBC Arena.

As Robbins noted, the franchise’s participation in this exhibition “is no accident.” Magic executives sought this trip due to a high number of Brazilian tourists who visit Central Florida and attend games.

Orlando toppled Flamengo 106-88 during the 2014 preseason, but the Brazilian team was a competitive opponent - and for good reason. The squad earned Novo Basquete Brasil, Americas League and Intercontinental Cup championships last year.

Flamengo boasts a member of the country’s national team in Marquinhos Vieira, who also notched 13 NBA appearances with the New Orleans Hornets in 2006-07. Additionally, Nicolas Laprovittola represented his native Argentina in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

The Magic essentially scheduled this game for marketing purposes, but the players - and fans - can take full advantage of a trip to a scenic location.

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