NBA: Celebrities descend on London showpiece | CNN

NBA: Soccer stars and celebrities descend on London showpiece

Henry Young, for CNN
1 minute read
Published 11:01 AM EST, Fri January 15, 2016
The NBA arrived in London for the sixth time in as many years as the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic battled it out at the O2 Arena. In front of a sell-out crowd, the NBA's Eastern-Conference clash finished 106-103 to the Raptors, as they claimed their fourth successive victory.
The NBA arrived in London for the sixth time in as many years as the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic battled it out at the O2 Arena. In front of a sell-out crowd, the NBA's Eastern-Conference clash finished 106-103 to the Raptors, as they claimed their fourth successive victory.
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Chelsea legend Didier Drogba took to the court during a break in play. The former Ivory Coast striker proved his talents extend beyond the soccer pitch, sinking a basket.
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba took to the court during a break in play. The former Ivory Coast striker proved his talents extend beyond the soccer pitch, sinking a basket.
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Drogba was joined courtside by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay as the star-studded spectators lapped up the entertainment. The Toronto Raptors eventually prevailed, overcoming Orlando Magic in overtime.
Drogba was joined courtside by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay as the star-studded spectators lapped up the entertainment. The Toronto Raptors eventually prevailed, overcoming Orlando Magic in overtime.
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Drogba's former teammate Michael Ballack was also in attendance, pictured here with his girlfriend, Natacha Tannous. <br />Fellow Blues Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and Loic Remy were courtside, following their 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion. Meanwhile Olivier Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and club legend Robert Pires ensured Arsenal were also at the O2.
Drogba's former teammate Michael Ballack was also in attendance, pictured here with his girlfriend, Natacha Tannous.
Fellow Blues Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and Loic Remy were courtside, following their 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion. Meanwhile Olivier Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and club legend Robert Pires ensured Arsenal were also at the O2.
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Fleur East, made famous by the televised singing competition The X-Factor, was at the O2 to take in the action.
Fleur East, made famous by the televised singing competition The X-Factor, was at the O2 to take in the action.
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The match was wasn't resolved until the final seconds. Here Cory Joseph of the Toronto Raptors dribbles towards Elfrid Payton of the Orlando Magic.
The match was wasn't resolved until the final seconds. Here Cory Joseph of the Toronto Raptors dribbles towards Elfrid Payton of the Orlando Magic.
Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
NBA 's London showpiece attracts capital's stars

Story highlights

NBA showpiece was the sixth game to be held in London in as many years

The game went to overtime, before the Toronto Raptors eventually triumphed 106-103

A host of English Premier League stars, past and present, were in attendance

Didier Drogba -- now at Montreal Impact -- even took the court, sinking a basket

London CNN  — 

A host of stars were out in force at London’s O2 Arena Thursday, as the Toronto Raptors battled Orlando Magic in their NBA Eastern-Conference clash.

The likes of beleaguered Chelsea star Eden Hazard, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and actor Michael B Jordan, who stars in Creed, were courtside to watch the sell-out game.

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan were outstanding – the former scoring 24 points in the Raptors’ 106-103 victory.

They were made to fight hard for the win, though, as Orlando Magic closed a double-digit deficit to take the game to overtime.

The jubilant crowd, which also included Hazard’s Chelsea teammates Cesc Fabregas, Asmir Begovic, Kurt Zouma, Loic Remy and former Blues Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba – was treated to a thrilling finale, before Toronto eventually triumphed for a fourth straight NBA win.

The players of another London club – Arsenal – were also out in force, with Olivier Giroud, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and club legends Thierry Henry and Robert Pires at the O2.

British super-middleweight boxer George Groves showed footballers aren’t the only NBA fans, but it was Drogba that proved he’s a master of all trades, as he took to the court at half time, sinking a shot from the free-throw line.