By Ivan Carter
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, March 8, 2008

TORONTO, March 7 -- Washington Wizards players were notified Friday that the team will play preseason games against the New Orleans Hornets in Berlin and Barcelona in October as part of the NBA Europe tour.

Other teams that will play games in Europe include the Miami Heat and New Jersey Nets. Boston, Toronto, Memphis and Minnesota were on the NBA tour last fall.

In 1979, the Washington Bullets traveled to China and played two exhibition games against the Chinese national team.

An official announcement will be made by the NBA later this month.

The Wizards returned to Washington following Friday's game and will host the Charlotte Bobcats on Saturday night.

Charlotte is 23-39 after Friday's home win over Atlanta and has won four straight. The Wizards are 3-0 against the Bobcats this season and 6-1 all-time at home.

In their last meeting on Feb. 23, Antawn Jamison's 22 points and nine rebounds led the Wizards to a 110-95 win at Verizon Center.

Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan is a big fan of Toronto counterpart Sam Mitchell, who has helped make the Raptors a playoff contender for the second straight season.

"He has a unique way of coaching and it's effective," Jordan said. "I think the players like playing for him, he lays out on the table and his own personality has meant a lot to that team."

UP NEXT Tonight vs. Bobcats7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980 Tuesday vs. Bucks7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980 UP NEXT Tonight vs. Bobcats7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980 Tuesday vs. Bucks7 p.m. Comcast SportsNet, WTEM-980