Rockets and Mavericks bond in China ahead of doubleheader

Off-court bonding in Macao

The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks have traveled to Macao, China, for a preseason doubleheader on October 9 and 11. They are playing at the Venetian Arena, which hosted the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets last season. This trip gives the players a chance to bond before the long regular season begins.

Fans gave both teams a warm welcome at their hotels after long flights. Rockets center Steven Adams gave fans an inside look at his hotel room, posting a video showing his Rockets themed pillow and fruit bowl.

Sightseeing and broken rims

Both teams took group photos near the water with the Venetian Macao in the background. Fans gathered to see Dallas guard Kyrie Irving and Houston star Kevin Durant.

During the Mavericks first practice, forward Naji Marshall broke a rim. He joked that he was too strong and signed the rim before the team kept it. Marshall also managed to break a chair when he sat down.

Meanwhile, Steven Adams and teammate Bogdan Bogdanović explored the city. They visited the ruins of Saint Paul's, a historic church facade built between 1602 and 1640, and tried some local street food. Four Dallas players, Daniel Gafford, Caleb Martin, Dwight Powell, and Sergio de Larrea, took a ferry ride to visit Victoria Peak in Hong Kong.

Rockets legends reunite

Rockets legend Yao Ming visited the NBA Macao house with former teammate Cuttino Mobley. Mobley found a cardboard cutout of the 7 foot 6 tall Yao. When Yao stood next to it, he looked even taller than the cutout and joked that he had something in his shoes. Future Hall of Famers Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving also shared a laugh on the court.