Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Denver Nuggets (97) @ Memphis Grizzlies (100)

Voting is open on NBA.com, NBA Facebook Page and Yahoo.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on Feb. 7

Fans can select between the following games:

Utah Jazz @ Indiana Pacers
Charlotte Bobcats @ Boston Celtics
Sacramento Kings @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Phoenix Suns @ Milwaukee Bucks
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Golden State Warriors

CLIP OF THE NIGHT

Fan Night crews discuss Marc Gasol and Pau Gasol and All-Star selection

CLIP OF THE NIGHT (Option #2)

Head Coach George Karl joins the Fan Night crew

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Fan Night presented by Sprint

Ernie Johnson, Chris Webber and Greg Anthony

Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl joins the Fan Night crew before the game

Coach Karl on the toughness of the Denver Nuggets after the Carmelo Anthony trade: “They stayed strong up until the point of the trade. There are a lot of guys that celebrated by playing good basketball and by coming together. Everyone bought into the team attitude and team idea. We are an explosive offensive team but our defense is the key to our success.”

Coach Karl on not having an All-Star player leading the team: “With a 32-13 record… if we continue at this pace, someone needs to get voted to the All-Star team. If we continue to win… I think someone will become an All-Star.”

Anthony on the Nuggets team dynamic: “I don’t know if they will get an All-Star but they have guys that have All-Star abilities. They are in the perfect system for their skill set. The way they share the basketball…You don’t have to have the five best players; you just have to have the five that play best together. Ultimately, the most important attribute you have in sports is confidence and they have it.”

Webber on the possibility of Grizzlies center Marc Gasol making the All-Star team over his brother Lakers forward Pau Gasol: “It is about opportunity. I don’t like comparing the two brothers but baby brother Gasol is taking advantage of the opportunity. He’s playing hard. He’s doing it right now.”

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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Johnson, Webber and Anthony

Anthony on Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen and how the team plays together: “You play for your teammates, but when things aren’t going well as a player you try to self-will it. Try to help your team win by doing too much. O.J. Mayo trusted a guy -Tony Allen – who isn’t an offensive player per se, to make the play down the stretch. This game could be a season saver.”

EJ on Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen: “Tony Allen was voted by the GM’s (general managers) in the league in the annual survey as the ‘best perimeter defender in the league.’”

NBA TV To Celebrate Black History Month By Honoring Sports Legends and Pioneers

Segments showcasing Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Chuck Cooper, Wayne Embry, Earl Lloyd, Lynette Woodard and others to air during

NBA TV’s GameTime throughout February

In observance of Black History Month this February, NBA TV has produced “Barrier Breakers”, a series of video segments that will run daily throughout the month on the network’s signature program, GameTime. The first segment will highlight Bill Russell, the 12-time All-Star, Hall of Famer, first African American NBA coach, Civil Rights Activist and the 2011 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, the nation’s highest honor to a civilian, on February 1, during the 7 p.m. (ET) GameTime show.

The 24 different segments will pay tribute to the game’s most influential pioneers and sports legends who have paved the way for today’s basketball superstars. The segment will consist of live interviews, pre-produced vignettes and reflections on these pioneers who inspired others and continued to break barriers from NBA TV’s announcers and studio teams.

Some of the barrier breakers that will be highlighted throughout the month include:

· Wilt Chamberlain – 13-time All-Star and Hall of Famer who was the only player in the NBA to average 40 and 50 points per season and score 100 points in a single game.

· Chuck Cooper – The first African American player to be drafted to the NBA in 1950. He was one of three African American athletes to play in the NBA.

· Wayne Embry – Five-time All-Star and NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics. After his retirement, he became the first African American NBA general manager for the Milwaukee Bucks.

· Earl Lloyd – One of the first African American basketball players in the league and the first to play in an NBA game during the 1950-51 season.

· Lynette Woodard – Olympic gold medalist and the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters.

NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADleague.com and WNBA.com.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATOUR.COM and PGA.com. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA League Pass, NBADLeague.com and WNBA.com

Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint
Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Cleveland Cavaliers (85) @ Miami Heat (92)

Voting is open on NBA.com, NBA Facebook Page and Yahoo.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on Jan. 31

Fans can select between the following games:

Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers
New Jersey Nets @ Indiana Pacers
Detroit Pistons @ New York Knicks
Denver Nuggets @ Memphis Grizzlies
Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors

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Fan Night presented by Sprint
Ernie Johnson, Chris Webber and Greg Anthony

Webber on how the Miami Heat will play without Dwyane Wade: “However (the Heat) play, good or bad, it doesn’t matter because the result is everyone else is going to get better. (Chris) Bosh is playing much better and the other guys have to step up.”

Anthony on the Heat’s team chemistry: “When you have guys that can dominate the game like those three (Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade) can it doesn’t allow other players to get into the flow of the game. It’s important that they figure out balance.”

Anthony on the Cleveland Cavalier’s rookie point guard Kyrie Irving and his offensive skills: “(Irving) is showing people why he was the No. 1 overall pick (in the 2011 NBA Draft). He has the complete package in terms of an offensive repertoire in the point guard position. He has great vision on the basketball court and he brings a lot to the table with his skill set, but, he is still learning how to become a basketball player.”

Anthony on Cavalier’s head coach Byron Scott’s analysis of Irving’s defensive play: “First and foremost it’s effort. When Byron looks at him, he understands he has a young man with the ability to be a decent defensive player.”

Webber on the Heat’s success: “They are so good and they will continue to be good. That’s why I picked them to win the championship. Because when they get below the box, they are just so hard to stop.”

Anthony on the importance of ‘glue guys’ on every team: “You need more than one glue guy. You have to have one in your starting line-up and a few on your team. They make your starters work. They will force them to get better. All great teams have glue guys.”

Anthony on who the glue guys are on the Cavaliers and the Heat: “For the Cavaliers, Anderson Varejao is an obvious glue guy. He makes winning plays. For the Heat, they have three starter glue guys. The one that sticks out the most is Shane Battier. He is a guy who combines the will with tremendous skill.”

Webber on the Washington Wizards firing head coach Flip Saunders: “The coach is responsible. The team is the problem. It’s the make-up. It’s a tough situation and you hope for the best in that situation.”

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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Webber and Anthony

Anthony on the Heat’s mentality: “When you watch Miami, they play with arrogance. They feel like they can turn it on and off like a light switch and win a game whenever they want. That lack of intensity and sense of urgency to start the games is one of the reasons why, at times, they struggle.”

Anthony on the Indiana Pacers: “They are a good basketball team. I don’t look at them as a team that can win a championship right now, but they are the type of team that is going to give you a lot of problems in the postseason.”

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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Rick Kamla and Steve Smith

Smith on the Cavaliers rookie point guard Kyrie Irving: “He only saw 11 games in college and the jury is still out, but guess what? I am stamping it. He’s the first pick, and he is well deserving of it.”

Smith on how Heat forward Chris Bosh is playing without injured teammate Dwyane Wade: “The Heat have two options right now (with Wade out) which are LeBron (James) and Bosh. When LeBron is not having a good night, you go to Bosh. Right now he (Bosh) feels comfortable. It was interesting to watch him against the (Atlanta) Hawks when there was no Dwyane Wade, no LeBron James; it was a (former team) Toronto (version of) Chris Bosh.”

Smith on Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love and his possible contract extension: “Looking towards the future, this team could inch up to be like Memphis or Oklahoma City. If I am Minnesota, the ownership, fans, everybody, you max out (the new deal for) Kevin Love.”

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Notes from NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Phoenix Suns (83) @ Los Angeles Lakers (99)

Voting is open on NBA.com, NBA Facebook Page and Yahoo.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on Jan. 17

Fans can select between the following games:

Charlotte Bobcats @ Orlando Magic

Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers

San Antonio Spurs @ Miami Heat

Phoenix Suns @ Chicago Bulls

Denver Nuggets @ Milwaukee Bucks

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Fan Night presented by Sprint

Ernie Johnson, Chris Webber and Greg Anthony

Anthony on Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant’s ability to play through injuries: “You have to be a little concerned if you are a Lakers fan because at this stage in his career, we know about his almost superhuman ability to recover from injury, but can he sustain it as they are trying to implement a new system under (head coach) Mike Brown emphasizing the defensive side of basketball?”

Webber on Lakers center Andrew Bynum being the best big man in the league: “I am going to repeat what Shaq (O’Neal) said (on TNT), that the best big man in the game right now is Andrew Bynum. Better than Dwight Howard right now. Howard is a great player and to compare these guys is dumb, but (Bynum) can bring so much to the game on a consistent level and you see the potential if he stays healthy.”

Anthony compares Bynum to Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard: “Andrew Bynum is more effective on the offensive side (than Howard). I would give Dwight Howard the edge overall because he is averaging more points and he dominates defensively. But Bynum offensively, when healthy, is the most polished big man in the game.”

Anthony on Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash and how his game has/hasn’t changed over the years: “Steve Nash has a lot of basketball left in him. His basketball IQ is so high and the ability of Phoenix to space the floor allows him to operate.”

Webber: “He hasn’t lost anything. He’s a bad man with that basketball and he’s always going to be that on the floor. He has as many years as he wants left. He is one of our best in-shape athletes.”

Anthony comments on Lakers forward Pau Gasol’s role with the Lakers: “The Lakers are still a team that can legitimately win a championship. Pau Gasol is going to be key as to whether or not they get over the hump. He’s got to impact the paint.”

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Sprint Halftime Report

Johnson, Webber and Anthony

Anthony on Kobe Bryant’s offensive game: “Kobe Bryant can be effective from any position on the floor. That’s one of his great strengths as an offensive player, (he’s) unmatched by any player in the league. Kobe is effective in all areas of scoring on the basketball court.”

Webber on Steve Nash: “(Nash) is one of the best point guards, one of the best people we have ever seen touch the cow leather on that basketball. He will always have the chance to have an impact especially on the offensive end of the game.”

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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Ernie Johnson, Chris Webber and Greg Anthony

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant joined the NBA TV studio team via ArenaLink following the game

Bryant on dealing with injuries while continuing to play at the same level of intensity: “After the injection, I really don’t feel anything. When I fall on (my wrist), the pain comes right back. All in all, you just have to go out there and do your job. People don’t want to hear excuses. If my play is suffering, they want to say I’m too old not that I have a bad wrist, so no excuses.”

Bryant on how the Lakers look this season without key players from last season: “I think we are better defensively. We still have a ways to go. We are willing to do the work. The jury is still out on how great we can be.”

Anthony on the Golden State Warriors winning in overtime against the Miami Heat: “It is impressive when you look at a team when they are outmanned physically (without Stephen Curry). It is important to have a coach believe in you so you can push a little further. They have a lot of fight in them.”

Anthony on the impact of Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s ankle injury affecting his future: “I’m tremendously concerned. I’m a huge fan of Stephen Curry and I hope and pray he can get over it. It’s not just the physical issue. It’s the psychological issue because every time you tweak it, it is going to be a concern that you have done something irreparable.”

Anthony on the Portland Trail Blazers: “Portland is really good. Obviously, Nate McMillan is a great coach but it starts with LaMarcus Aldridge. He has really emerged. Defensively, he impacts the game.”

Webber on Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge stepping into a leadership role: “He’s ready. He is not the most demonstrative guy, but it doesn’t matter because when he gets into that paint he lets you see he is going to be aggressive with his game.”

Anthony on Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio: “He keeps his teammates alert at all times on the floor. His feel and understanding of how to deliver the basketball in just the right moment, for a rookie, is impressive.”

Anthony on the improvement of the Chicago Bulls this season: “I think they are a better team this year than they were a year ago even though Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah’s numbers are down. I think they are getting more contributions from other guys.”

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NBA TV welcomes Jared Greenberg, new host of The Jump presented by Sprint

NBA TV’s Fan Night presented by Sprint will feature the Phoenix Suns taking on the Los Angeles Lakers on Tues., Jan. 10, at 10:30 p.m. (ET). This match-up was selected by fans who voted via nba.com/nbatv/fannight, NBA’s Facebook page and Yahoo.com.

Prior to tip-off, the GameTime team with host Rick Kamla and analyst Steve Smith will be on-hand for studio pregame coverage beginning at 7 p.m. (ET) which will lead in to the AutoTrader.com Pregame Show at 7:30 p.m. (ET). The Chicago Bulls will then take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at 8 p.m. (ET), preceding the Fan Night game. TheFan Night studio team with host Ernie Johnson and analysts Greg Anthony and Chris Webber will take over during theFan Night game and conclude the evening with a postgame recap featuring highlights from the evening’s match-ups followed by GameTime.

Fan Night voting will continue on nba.com/nbatv/fannight, the NBA Facebook page and Yahoo.com from Tues., Jan. 10 (8 a.m. ET) – Thurs., Jan. 12 (Midnight ET) as fans select the match-up for the next Fan Night on Tues., Jan. 17. Fans will have the opportunity to select among the following games:

• Charlotte Bobcats @ Orlando Magic
• Golden State Warriors @ Cleveland Cavaliers
• San Antonio Spurs @ Miami Heat
• Phoenix Suns @ Chicago Bulls
• Denver Nuggets @ Milwaukee Bucks

This Tuesday also marks the introduction of Jared Greenberg, the new host of The Jump presented by Sprint, who joins the studio team of Brent Barry, Dennis Scott and ‘chat-master’ Sekou Smith. In addition to his role as part-time host of NBA TV’s Fantasy Insider from 2005-08, Greenberg has served as a sports anchor, sideline reporter and play-by-play broadcaster for MSG Varsity, MSG Network and MSG Plus as well as Long Island and Westchester affiliate’s News 12. Throughout the live, interactive show designed for the ultimate NBA fan, viewers have the opportunity to interact with the studio team by submitting their questions and comments via NBA.com, Facebook or Twitter. The Jump presented by Sprint will stream live on Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. (ET) on NBA.com and will air at 6:00 p.m. (ET) on NBA TV.

NBA TV will also feature live games throughout the weekend with a doubleheader on Sat., Jan. 7 and games on Sun., Jan. 8 and Mon., Jan. 9 leading up to Fan Night presented by Sprint on Tuesday.

NBA TV GAMES OF THE WEEK:

JANUARY 7 — JANUARY 10

 NBA Digital is the NBA’s extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com and WNBA.com.

Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Clippers Game is Most Viewed Regular Season Game Ever on NBA TV

NBA TV tipped off its 96-game 2011-12 regular season schedule, averaging 405,000 total viewers (+120 percent from last season’s opening week) and approximately 300,000 households (+114 percent). The Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Clippers match-up on Dec. 30 was the most viewed regular season game ever for the network, averaging 722,000 total viewers, surpassing last season’s Miami Heat vs. Portland Trail Blazers game on March 8 (681,000 total viewers).

Additional NBA TV highlights from opening week (Dec. 25 – Jan. 1) include:
· Along with the Bulls-Clippers game, NBA TV’s schedule last week produced a total of three games on the network’s Top 10 most viewed games list:
o Dec 28: New York Knicks vs. the Golden State Warriors averaged 594,000 total viewers (7th overall)
o Dec 26: Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Sacramento Kings averaged 567,000 total viewers (8th overall).

· NBA TV key demographics are also up triple digits compared to the network’s 96-game 2010-11 regular season:
o A 18-24: 128,999 vs. 55,000 (+133%)
o A 18-49: 240,000 vs. 98,000 (+145%)
o A 25-54: 231,000 vs. 95,000 (+143%)
o M 18-34: 88,000 vs. 41,000 (+115%)

NBA TV GAMES OF THE WEEK:

JAN. 5 – JAN. 9

Source:  Nielsen Media Research, Star Trak, based on Live +SD data stream for dates of the 2011-12 NBA Regular Season on NBA TV 8 game average (12/26/2011 to 1/1/2012) and 2010-11 NBA Regular Season 1Q to-date average (12/27/2010 – 01/2/2011). All games on NBA TV include NBA Regular Season, Preseason and Playoff games (9/27/2010 – 1/1/2012).

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Contact:

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Atlanta Hawks (74) @ Chicago Bulls (76)

Houston Rockets (99) @ LA Lakers (108)

Voting is open on NBA.com, NBA Facebook Page and Yahoo.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on Jan. 10

Fans can select between the following games:

                                                                     Oklahoma City Thunder @ Memphis Grizzlies

Chicago Bulls @ Minnesota Timberwolves

LA Clippers @ Portland Trailblazers

Phoenix Suns @ LA Lakers

 Miami Heat @ Golden State Warriors

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Autotrader.com Pre-Game Show

Ernie Johnson, Chris Webber and Greg Anthony

Head coach of the Houston Rockets Kevin McHale joins Fan Night crew via phone during pre-game

McHale on his approach to prepare his team: “I told them we have to be good defensively. Defense can travel. We have got to be really aggressive. I have just been hammering away on the defensive end.”

McHale offering advice to Greg Anthony on his debut on Fan Night: “Just have fun. If anybody had to take my spot, I’m glad it is Greg Anthony.”

Anthony on what impresses him most about the Chicago Bulls: “If you look at the elite teams in the NBA, they have been the most impressive thus far because of their ability to win on the road. I have been thoroughly impressed with the Chicago Bulls.”

Anthony on Bulls guard Derrick Rose reaching his full potential: “His best basketball is ahead of him. He is now starting to trust his teammates more. He is going to become a more efficient player. He is starting to trust them more which makes him more dangerous in the long run because he is going to have more to give down the line.”

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose joins the Fan Night crew prior to the game

Rose on the Bulls progress so far this season:  “It has been pretty good. We are playing defense now. Guys are playing hard and we are competing.”

Rose on the impact of having guard Rip Hamilton in the lineup: “It makes my game easy when you have a guy that can score the ball they way he can score the ball.

Webber on Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins demanding a trade: “I would go get a veteran to try and talk to him. There is a tough dynamic in sports between players and coaches, players and teammates. Sometimes you don’t know what is right.  You don’t just want to trade someone but you do want to let these kids see there are other ways to do things besides the way he is doing them.”

Atlanta Hawks forward Tracy McGrady joins the Fan Night crew

McGrady on what he brings to the Hawks: “I just fall back on my skills and knowledge on the game of basketball. I think I have a great IQ for the game. I can still be a playmaker. I’m still able to make plays and put the ball in the hole.”

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Sprint Halftime Report

Johnson, Webber and Anthony

Anthony on Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden: “James Harden is probably their best facilitator, even better than Russell Westbrook.”

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Game 2: Houston Rockets (99) @ LA Lakers (108)

Anthony on how the Lakers are better with center Andrew Bynum: “They are infinitely better. When you have Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol on that front line, Bynum shows himself as a feature front line player.  The Lakers are a team that has a legitimate chance to come out of the West.”

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Sprint Halftime Report

Johnson, Webber and Anthony

Anthony on the Houston Rockets’ missing component: “Kevin Martin is a good player but not a great player. That’s the problem with Houston as a team. They don’t have great players. They don’t have anyone that impacts that paint.”

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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

Ernie Johnson, Chris Webber and Greg Anthony

Anthony on the Lakers this season:  “As great as (Andrew) Bynum is in order to really have a chance to win it, Pau Gassol is going to have to have more of an impact.  You can’t be a 7-foot center and not take any free throws.  He’s becoming a mid-range jump shot and that’s the one area of concern I have for the Lakers.”

Webber comments on the talk in LA on if bringing Orlando Magic’s center Dwight Howard to the Lakers to join center Andrew Bynum is a good idea:  “I would get Dwight Howard at all costs.  Having a defensive philosophy, having Kobe, having another alpha male on the team, I would go get a guy like that (Howard).  On any given night Howard still gets 20-20’s without even needing to post up, but Bynum is still a great player.”

Anthony on the differences between Bynum and Howard’s game:  “Dwight is a dominant defensive player.  Bynum is a little more skilled offensively, better around the basket.  But, Howard can dominate a game defensively like no other in the league and Kobe can still be the primary scorer, so it would be tough not to get Dwight Howard if you had the opportunity.”

Anthony on his first night as part of the Fan Night team:  “It’s been exhilarating, exciting and at times overwhelming.  I just feel proud to be able to say I am on your team.”

NBA TV tips off the 2011-12 NBA Season on Dec. 26 with Doubleheader featuring the Houston Rockets @ Orlando Magic at 7 p.m. ET; and

L.A. Lakers @ Sacramento Kings at 10 p.m. ET

Voting for Network’s Popular Fan Night Begins on Dec. 27

NBA TV will tip off coverage of its 13^th season on Monday, Dec. 26, with an exciting doubleheader when the Houston Rockets take on the Orlando Magic (7 p.m. ET), followed by the Los Angeles Lakers visiting the Sacramento Kings (10 p.m. ET).  Prior to tip off, the basketball action will begin with NBA TV’s The Beat with Vince Cellini at 6 p.m. (ET) followed by the AutoTrader.com Pregame Show at 6:30 p.m. (ET) with host Rick Kamla and analysts Brent Barry and Dennis Scott.  The network’s 96-game schedule will be highlighted by 33 doubleheaders this season and will feature appearances by the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks.

Additional games featured during opening week on NBA TV include:

Wed., Dec 28:

• Oklahoma City Thunder @ Memphis Grizzlies (8 p.m. ET);
• New York Knicks @ Golden State Warriors (10:30 p.m. ET)

The coverage begins with NBA GameTime at 7p.m. (ET) featuring hostCellini and analysts Greg Anthony, Dennis Scott and Chris Webberfollowed at 7:30 p.m. (ET) with the AutoTrader.com Pregame Show.  Cellini, Anthony, Scott and Webber will conclude the evening with the postgame showNBA GameTime presented by Hyundai. 

Friday, Dec 30:          

• Phoenix Suns @ New Orleans Hornets (8 p.m. ET);
• Chicago Bulls @ LA Clippers (10:30 p.m. ET)

The coverage begins at 7 p.m. (ET) with NBA GameTime featuring hostMatt Winer  and analystsRick Mahorn and Steve Smith followed at 7:30 p.m. (ET) with the  AutoTrader.com Pregame Show.  The postgame showNBA GameTime presented by Hyundai., with Winer, Mahorn and Smith, will round-out the day’s basketball coverage discussing the match-ups and highlights. 

Saturday, Dec. 31:

• Utah Jazz @ San Antonio Spurs (8:30 p.m. ET)

The coverage begins at 7 p.m. (ET) with NBA GameTime featuring host Kamla, analysts Mahorn and Ronny Thompson followed at 7:30 p.m. (ET) by the AutoTrader.com Pregame Show.  Kamla, Mahorn and Thompson will finish the night with the postgame show NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai with highlights and a re-cap of the evening’s action.  

For the fourth consecutive year, NBA TV will feature the popular Fan Night on Tuesdays throughout the regular season.  Voting for the 2011-2012 season begins on Tuesday, Dec. 27, for the first game that will air on January 3, 2012.  Each Tuesday night, NBA fans will have the opportunity to vote on NBA.com for games they want to see televised nationally on NBA TV.  In addition to voting on NBA.com and NBA Mobile, this season fans can also cast their votes via the NBA Facebook page and Yahoo.com.  Fans can stay connected to all the Fan Night action all week long with information on NBA TV, online at NBA.com/fannight and through live chats and Twitter feeds from select NBA personalities.

Fans can vote for the following January 3 games:

• Charlotte Bobcats @ Cleveland Cavaliers (7 pm ET)
• Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls (8 pm ET)
• Sacramento Kings @ Memphis Grizzlies (8 pm ET)
• Portland Trailblazers @ Oklahoma City Thunder (8 pm ET)
• Houston Rockets @ LA Lakers (10:30 pm ET)

NBA TV SCHEDULE FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2011:

NBA TV UPCOMING SCHEDULE FOR DEC. 28-31

  Postgame                             NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

                                                Matt Winer (host), Rick Mahorn (analyst), Steve Smith (analyst)

Saturday, December 31

   Postgame                            NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai

                                                Rick Kamla (host), Rick Mahorn (analyst), Ronny Thompson (analyst) 

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Notes from NBA TV Preseason Game: December 21, 2011

Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic

NBA TV tips off its 96-game 2011-2012 NBA regular season schedule on Dec. 26 with the Houston Rockets @ Orlando Magic

NBA GameTime studio team: Vince Cellini, Greg Anthony and Dennis Scott

Onsite announcers: Marv Albert, Mike Fratello, Craig Sager

Fratello on Heat forward LeBron James’ off-season workouts with Hakeem Olajuwon: “The staff wanted him to work on a few things; they felt they needed him down on the low post more.”

Sager on his conversations with Orlando Magic Center Dwight Howard, GM Otis Smith and new chairman Rich DeVos: “I am convinced Howard doesn’t know what he wants to do. Smith does have offers, and feels they will get better as they near the March 15 trade deadline. DeVos is convinced he will re-sign Dwight Howard. No one in the organization wants Howard to leave before the All-Star Game.”

Fratello on the trade rumors surrounding Howard: “If Howard gets traded to another team that would instantly make that team one that could compete for the championship in people’s minds and that would certainly tear the hearts out of the local fans once again… Who lost Shaquille O’Neal a few years back.”

Fratello on Howard’s future: “If Dwight Howard played it out until the end of the year and became a free agent and went to another team, he could only make the mid-level exception. He couldn’t get a contract from another team for $16 or $18 million dollars. He would not be able to.”

Sager interviewed Miami Coach Eric Spoelstra courtside:

Spoelstra: “They (Orlando) are a team that can go on runs and turn it just like that. We want to play hard and get into our game and force them to try and miss some of those shots. “

Albert on James’ mentality this season: “He (LeBron James) admits he had a difficult time of dealing with the mental stress of last season that he realizes he created himself. It seems like things are on the calm side as compared to a year ago. The lockout might have been a positive for the Miami Heat.”

Fratello on last year’s Miami Heat: “They have been through so much last season- the expectations were so high, the pressure from the outside, the pressure they put on themselves trying to handle those types of situations – Bosh and LeBron had not been in that situation before. Now you come back and you tweak and adjust a few things. Why shouldn’t they have an outstanding season this year?”

Sager interviews LeBron James on the Heat this season:

James: “Preseason is a time for teams to get better, and that’s what we are trying to do – get better every quarter and carry that over to the regular season.”

****GameTime Halftime Show****

Studio Team: Vince Cellini, Greg Anthony and Dennis Scott

Scott on the poor play of the Orlando Magic: “Orlando fans, ya’ll may be in more trouble than we thought. I know its preseason, but there is no continuity, nobody working together…”

Anthony on the Heat this year: “The biggest adjustment I think they are going to make this season is you are going to see more post play from LeBron and Dwyane Wade.”

Anthony on the Knicks this season: “I think they have the best front line in the Eastern Conference. I think their front line is going to be spectacular. The question is are they going to get enough out of the back court? I think Amar’e (Stoudeire) and Carmelo (Anthony) have to be playmakers for this basketball team.”

Sager interviewed Orlando Magic General Manager Otis Smith on the other offers made in regards to Howard:

Smith: “(We are) Not entertaining anything at the moment. We like our team, we like the team on the floor and we’d like to keep Dwight in the uniform for a long time.”

****GameTime Postgame Show****

Studio team: Vince Cellini, Greg Anthony and Dennis Scott

Scott on what he expects from LeBron James this season: “LeBron is trying to turn the page this year. He took a page out of Kobe’s and Dwight Howard’s book and was working with Hakeem Olajuwon in the off-season. It’s not deep-post, it’s mid-post where he can create space and have more room to operate. That’s what the Miami Heat look forward to.”

Anthony on Howard’s role on the team: “He’s going to carry a lot of responsibility, he’s a leader on the team. Right now, he’s on the Magic. He’s got to get his teammates to buy in to him being there and keep the focus on winning basketball games.”

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-          Weekend coverage continues with  triple-header action on Saturday, Dec. 17 beginning at 2 p.m. ET, Sunday features the Oklahoma City Thunder  vs. Detroit Pistons at

7:30 p.m. ET-

NBA TV tips off its preseason schedule Friday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET.   The network will broadcast at least 10 preseason contests live, prior to the start of the regular season, beginning with Friday’s match-up between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons.  NBA TV’s Game Time will follow the final buzzer of each evening’s games with highlights from that day’s on-court action.       This weekend’s NBA TV pre-season game schedule includes (all times are Eastern):

NBA TV’s preseason games will offer “first looks” at some of the most-anticipated rookies entering the NBA for the 2011-2012 season.  NBA TV’s preseason schedule will showcase seven of the top 10 draft picks and 13 of the top 20 draft picks.

Friday’s match-up of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons will feature Cavaliers rookies Kyrie Irving (# 1 overall draft pick) and Tristan Thompson (# 4).  On the court for Detroit will be Brandon Knight (# 8).  Saturday’s action will feature New York Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert (# 17), San Antonio Spurs rookie Kawhi Leonard (# 15), Houston Rockets rookie Marcus Morris (# 14), Sacramento Kings rookie Jimmer Fredette (# 10) and Golden State Warriors rookie Klay Thompson (# 11).

NBA TV will tip-off its 13^th season and 96 games of coverage on Dec. 26 with a doubleheader, as the Houston Rockets take on the Orlando Magic (7 p.m. ET) followed by the L.A. Lakers visiting the Sacramento Kings (10 p.m. ET).