Doc Rivers says upcoming travel to Canada, China will be good for team

Doc Rivers/Photo by Associated Press

The Clippers will open their six-game exhibition season Friday when they play host to the Denver Nuggets at 7:30 p.m. at Staples Center. Then they travel for a Sunday game against Toronto in Canada before embarking on a trip to China, where they will play the Charlotte Hornets on Oct. 10 and Oct. 14.

It’s good for bonding, Doc Rivers said, especially for a team with so many new faces.

“The China travel is a little much, but if we’re going to go, I guess this year would probably be the right year to go because we have so many guys,” he said.  “It will give us a chance to get to know each other a little bit better.”

The Clippers’ final two exhibition games will be Oct. 20 against Golden State and Oct. 22 against Portland – both games will be at Staples Center.