London will be gripped once again when the NBA comes to town. This time, cinema giants Odeon want in on the action.

The Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors lock horns on Thursday, January 14 at the O2 Arena with a near 19,000 sell-out expected. So for those who were not able to purchase a ticket, Odeon Cinema have a unique alternative.

Across the UK, 31 of the Odeon’s screens will show the 2016 edition of the NBA Global Games in London in another attempt to showcase not just the NBA but basketball to a country that enjoys a cult following but wishes to be so much more.

“We’re very excited to be bringing all the excitement and action of NBA Live to our cinemas,” said Ian Shepherd, Group Chief Commercial Officer, Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group.

“Live entertainment is hugely popular with our guests and growing rapidly, whether it be theatre, music or sport, and the NBA is a fantastic addition to our line-up.

“Like our guests, we’re thrilled that the adrenaline of the games and the atmosphere of the crowds will be beaming onto our screens around the UK to guests who are enjoying the comfort and hospitality of our cinemas.”

“Our partnership with Odeon cinemas will provide fans with a front seat to all of the action from NBA Global Games London 2016,” said NBA EMEA Senior Vice President and Managing Director Benjamin Morel.

“We are excited to broaden the reach of the live game experience across the UK with a fully immersive presentation on the big screen.”

This isn’t the first time that the British basketball fraternity has had the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game on a cinema screen. Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers was shown to a packed house at the Vue Cinema, located inside the O2 Arena complex.

The occasion of the game plus its exclusive setting brought out the basketball fans who wore their basketball jerseys with pride. The majority of them on that night repped their Kobe Bryant vests as they watched their idol claim MVP honours as the Lakers triumphed against their rivals.

Fast forward nearly six years and that experience is coming back with supporters that were not able to get their tickets, getting the chance to witness their beautiful game, but with popcorn and jumbo-sized soft drinks accompanying it.

List of Odeon Cinemas broadcasting Raptors-Magic:

Basingstoke

Kingston

Southampton

Birmingham Broadway Plaza

Lee Valley

Southend

Blackpool

Leeds

Stoke

Cardiff

Leicester

Streatham

Chatham

Liverpool One

Belfast

Dunfermline

Marble Arch

Hull

Edinburgh Fort Kinnaird

Metrocentre

Printworks Manchester

Glasgow Braehead

Milton Keynes Stadium

Swansea

Greenwich

Norwich

Telford

Surrey Quays

Sheffield

Uxbridge

Worcester

Photo: Getty Images / NBAE