Beijing ( CNN ) -- Miami Heat superstar LeBron James on Thursday led the reigning NBA champions into the first of two pre-season matches staged in China against the Los Angeles Clippers . He lived up to the considerable hype that surrounds him . Just a few minutes into the game , James made five straight points , punctuated by a big dunk , to the delight of the thousands of Chinese fans who packed the arena in Beijing chanting `` MVP , MVP ! '' The man dubbed by many as the world 's top player notched 20 points , as the Heat beat the Clippers 94-80 . The two teams will play again on Sunday in Shanghai . Local fans here were treated to an NBA-style mix of basketball and entertainment , featuring cheerleaders , mascots and DJs egging the crowds to applaud and do `` the wave . '' James is well-known in China for being part of the Team USA that won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics . Basketball-mad Chinese fans watch him regularly in NBA games televised by local sports channels here . In an exclusive interview with Talk Asia , scheduled to air on CNN soon , James noted the Chinese love for the game . `` Here in China they have n't seen the game up close and personal the way we have in the States , '' he said . `` They 're always excited about the game , no matter where it 's played , no matter how it 's played , what level it 's played at and you can have a great deal of respect for that . `` This is my ninth time in this country and every city I 've been to has welcomed me with open arms , '' he added . `` Either playing a game of basketball , teaching or inspiring the game of basketball , there 's been some great opportunities for me and there have been some great times with the kids here who love the game of basketball . '' He then credited Chinese former NBA star Yao Ming as a role model . `` That 's the most inspiring thing , '' James said . `` Not only was Yao in their backyard , he could also really play the game at a high level so it definitely helps a lot of kids as far as saying ' I can do this and I can do it at a high level . ' '' The NBA is one of the most followed sports leagues in China -- its account even has 52 million followers on Weibo , China 's Twitter-like social network site . James was joined on court Thursday by teammate and fellow superstar , Dwayne Wade , who has been recovering from off-season knee surgery , but played for several minutes even though it was only an exhibition game . Wade even wore a pair of Li-Ning sneakers , just days after signing an endorsement deal with Chinese sportswear company of the same name . The Beijing-based company is giving the Miami star his own line of shoes . The Heat point guard becomes the biggest NBA name to endorse the Li-Ning brand since his former Miami teammate Shaquille O'Neal . But he 's not the only NBA star to endorse Chinese products . Heat forward Shane Battier has endorsed Chinese sneakers brand Peak since 2006 . On the playing front , there has long been a well-established connection between the NBA and the China Basketball Association ( CBA ) , the local professional league founded in 1995 . Several Chinese players , such as Yao , played in the CBA before moving on to the NBA . In 2011 , the NBA and CBA launched a basketball academy to help train more coaches and players . During the NBA lockdown last year , caused by dispute between NBA players and owners , several stars , including JR Smith and Wilson Chandler , played for Chinese teams in the CBA . China has also emerged as alternative destination for former NBA stars in the twilight of their career . Tracy McGrady , 33 , has reportedly signed a one-year deal to play this season with CBA side , Qingdao . The former All-Star , who has played with several NBA teams including the Houston Rockets , finished last season with the Atlanta Hawks . His long-time team up with now retired Houston Rockets center Yao made McGrady a popular figure in China . Qingdao has never made it to the CBA finals . His appearance in the CBA is expected to attract more fans to domestic games . `` I am happy for him , '' James said . `` It will be good for the game . '' James says he follows the CBA and said the league is `` very good and growing big . '' With no Chinese stars currently plying their trade in the NBA , there 's a huge opportunity for the country 's homegrown stars to show the world what they 're missing .
Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers in China to play exhibition matches . NBA is still hugely popular among China 's basketball - mad population . The professional U.S. league has more than 50 million followers on Weibo . China 's own pro league has long contributed players to the NBA .