体坛英语新闻：NBA chooses New Orleans to host 2017 All-Star Game

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- The NBA announced on Friday that New Orleans has been chosen to host NBA All-Star 2017 on Feb. 19 at Smoothie King Center.

This will mark the third time New Orleans has been the host of the league's annual midseason event, having previously hosted the celebration in 2008 and 2014. However, Charlotte was previously set to host the game.

"New Orleans is a world-class destination for sports and entertainment and we are very appreciative that the city is once again hosting our All-Star festivities," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

The 66th NBA All-Star Game will be played at home of the New Orleans Pelicans.

"We are grateful that the NBA has selected us to host the 2017 NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans," said New Orleans Pelicans Owner Tom Benson.

"We have made tremendous upgrades to the Smoothie King Center and know the building will be a first-class venue to host the myriad of events associated with All-Star weekend. New Orleans has hosted the All-Star Game twice in the past nine years, and is a perfect destination for NBA fans. As we know, the NBA will engage thousands of local children and charities during this weekend."

In addition to the game, the Smoothie King Center will host the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 17 and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 18 while the NBA All-Star Practice, NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and NBA Development League All-Star Game presented by Kumho Tire will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The NBA will continue to honor its commitment to social responsibility during All-Star 2017 with a full schedule of NBA Cares and Jr. NBA events in and around New Orleans throughout the week.

The 2017 NBA All-Star Game will be televised in prime time on TNT for the 15th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports' 32nd year of NBA All-Star coverage. The game will be broadcast worldwide in 215 countries and territories in 49 languages.