Dwyane Wade says he and the Miami Heat are looking forward to the European tour. - File photos

LONDON (AP)

The NBA is coming back to Europe for another pre-season tour next season.

The Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards will play two games each on the October trip to prepare for the 2008-09 American basketball season.

"Our third consecutive year of the NBA Europe Live is another step in our ongoing efforts to bring the excitement of the NBA to our loyal and passionate fans across Europe," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement.

The Heat and Nets will play each other in London and Paris, while the Hornets and Wizards meet in Berlin and Barcelona, Spain.

"I am looking forward to expanding the game of basketball to these great cities with my teammates," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "Being a part of Team USA Basketball in the Olympics, I know the importance of taking the next step in making the NBA a global sport."

Unlike previous years, however, the NBA teams will not play local teams on the tour.

The first game between the Heat and Nets will be in Paris at the Bercy arena on October 9. They will meet again on October 12 at the O2 Arena in London. The Hornets and Wizards then play each other on October 14 in Berlin at the O2 World, followed by another game between the two on October 17 at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona.

The trip is less than two months after the Beijing Olympics. London will host the 2012 Games.

"Having played in international competition, I am very aware of the passion of the European fans for the NBA, so it will be very special to bring the NBA to both Paris and London," Nets guard Vince Carter said. "I am sure that my teammates will truly enjoy this unique experience."