Hello Celebritys

PHOENIX — The NBA returns outdoors when the Phoenix Suns play host to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, October 9 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA. Tip-off is still to be determined. The preseason matchup will be televised nationally, exclusively on TNT.

Tickets will go on sale to the public on Monday, May 3 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time online at ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, and at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden box office. Prices range from $10 to $100.

“NBA fans in the Coachella Valley will see two of the NBA’s most popular and entertaining teams square off in the world’s most picturesque outdoor setting for basketball,” said Rick Welts, President and CEO of the Suns.

In addition, six Coachella Valley high school basketball teams will be selling discounted upper level tickets with a portion of proceeds benefiting their school. Tickets are $28. Each team participating in the program will have the opportunity to play in a matchup on the Suns court prior to the game. Games will be played on Wednesday, October 6 and Thursday, October 7. Exact times are still to be determined.

Schools interested in hosting a fundraiser by selling discounted tickets to the game should contact Lawrence Levine at 602-379-7837 for more information.

“We are pleased to partner for the third consecutive year with the NBA and the Phoenix Suns organization to bring this distinctive game to TNT,” said David Levy, President of Sales, Distribution and Sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “The outdoor game has proven to be a unique and fun experience for not only the players but also for our viewers and crew. We look forward to returning to Indian Wells in October with our NBA on TNT crew for this year’s game between the Suns-Mavs.”

Suns ownership partner and Rancho Mirage local resident Dick Heckmann said, “Not only are we proud to be bringing the Suns back to the Valley, we are excited that this event will be helping local high schools raise much needed funds at a critical time.”

On October 11, 2008 the NBA hosted the first outdoor game of the modern era, which featured a preseason showcase between the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The sold out event, known as the AutoTrader.com Open, saw the Denver Nuggets outlast the Phoenix Suns, 77-72. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Phoenix Suns 104-101 in the second AutoTrader.com Open held on October 10, 2009.

“We are very excited to be continuing our partnership with the Phoenix Suns in hosting the matchup,” said Steve Simon, Chief Operating Officer of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. “With the Dallas Mavericks coming to town and more area high school basketball programs involved, this year’s game will be the best yet.”

Southern California’s Santa Rosa Mountains provide a breathtaking backdrop to the 80-acre complex that will host the event. The 16,000-seat stadium is an NBA-style arena with no roof that annually plays host to one of the world’s major tennis tournaments, the BNP Paribas Open. Fans from Phoenix who wish to attend the game can reach Indian Wells in less than a four-hour drive.