View 3 more
New Jersey Nets Sundiata Gaines, left, drives past Toronto Raptors Jerryd Bayless during their NBA basketball match at the O2 Arena in London, Saturday, March 5, 2011. Tom Hevezi, Associated Press
View 3 more
New Jersey Nets Brook Lopez, 2nd left, tries to push the ball to the hoop despite the challenge from Toronto Raptors Andrea Bargnani, right, during their NBA basketball match at the O2 Arena in London, Saturday, March 5, 2011. Tom Hevezi, Associated Press
View 3 more
New Jersey Nets Kris Humphries, right, jumps with Toronto Raptors James Johnson during their NBA basketball match at the O2 Arena in London, Saturday, March 5, 2011. Tom Hevezi, Associated Press
View 3 more
New Jersey Nets Deron Williams, left, tries to get the ball past Toronto Raptors Andrea Bargnani during their NBA basketball match at the O2 Arena in London, Saturday, March 5, 2011. Tom Hevezi, Associated Press
By Associated Press

LONDON — The NBA's latest European foray not only gave the Nets a lift, it also gave a shot in the arm Britain's hopes of competing in next year's London Olympics.

The Nets return to the United States having ended a six-game losing streak with back-to-back victories over the Toronto Raptors in the first regular-season NBA games to be played in Europe.

Played in front of packed crowds of 18,700 fans at the O2 Arena in London on Friday and Saturday, the matches were branded a success by players and officials from both teams.

View Comments

That was music to the ears of Britain's basketball officials, who will discover next Sunday whether Britain's men's and women's teams will compete in the 2012 Games.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.