TNT’s NBA coverage will continue Thursday, Dec. 18, at 8 p.m. ET with a doubleheader featuring the New York Knicks @ Chicago Bulls followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder @ Golden State Warriors at 10:30 p.m.
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TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith
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Smith on the Cavaliers: “They are a work in progress…they are not where they should be or could be.” |
| O’Neal on the Thunder: “They have a lot of ground to make up, so they need to start getting back on track. They are now coming out with a little bit of playoff intensity.” |
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Cleveland Cavaliers (94) @ Oklahoma City Thunder (103)
Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Grant Hill (analyst) with Rachel Nichols (reporter)
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Hill on Cavaliers Head Coach David Blatt: “He certainly has the responsibility to meet the exceptions of this Cavs team. It’s definitely not an easy situation. You have a team that was fighting to get into the Playoffs. David Blatt has a lot on his plate but he’s done a good job with some adversity.” |
| Hill on the Thunder: “The Thunder have been sloppy on the offensive end. As they try to work Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant back in the mix it takes time to get that rhythm offensively.”
Hill on Thunder guard Russell Westbrook: “He’s unguardable, he’s relentless. He comes at you. He’s constantly attacking you at both ends of the floor.” Smith on the best point guard between Westbrook and Kyrie Irving: “Best is defined by winning. Russell Westbrook is the better point guard because he’s been the better winner.” Barkley on Westbrook: “I can watch him play a lot. He’s spectacular. Before Derrick Rose got hurt, I never saw a point guard that explosive and that athletic…if he would just slow down a little bit.” Hill on teammates Westbrook and Kevin Durant: “Those two have great chemistry out on the court.” Hill on Thunder center Steven Adams: “Adam was a nice draft pick last year. Certainly has great size, activity inside for the Thunder…[and has] gained the trust of Coach Brooks.” Hill on Westbrook’s athleticism: “How many guys can have that many surgeries and still not lose any athleticism? He might be the most athletic…certainly with Derrick Rose struggling to get back.” Hill on Thunder center Kendrick Perkins: “He’s one of the best ball screeners in the game. A seasoned veteran that knows how to win.” Hill on Durant: “How unfair is it when your 6’10” small forward can execute a screen and roll and find a shooter in the corner? Kevin Durant is showing he can do things in a number of ways.” |
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Houston Rockets (113) @ Sacramento Kings (109)
Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Brent Barry (analyst) with Rebecca Haarlow (reporter)
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Barkley on the Rockets going 7-3 without Dwight Howard: “People talk about Steph Curry, who is probably the front runner for MVP, but James Harden is right in there. They have played very well. I really don’t see how they are doing it. It’s been all James Harden. He’s been incredible.” |
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Barry on guard Darren Collison: “Darren Collison has gotten off to a great start this year, more because he is a pass-first point guard. He’s complimentary to what Rudy Gay does as a ball dominant player. He’s been asked to score a lot in the absence of DeMarcus Cousins and he’s picked it up a little bit for the Sacramento Kings.”
Barry on Kings Head Coach Mike Malone developing a young team: “Mike has a very young team with a lot of new faces on the roster this year. So they have to learn his vocabulary, the way he likes to play them and the style on both ends.” Barry on forward Carl Landry: “He’s a capable offensive player. He likes to play around the mid-post area. If you don’t have the three point shooting, you are not going to have space for guys like Carl Landry or Rudy Gay to operate around the mid-range.” Barry on Kings center DeMarcus Cousins: “[At the beginning of the season] he was remarkable by the numbers. Everyone that has watched DeMarcus Cousins knew that wasn’t an issue. Do we know he can play? Absolutely. It was about his demeanor and approach to the season. The leadership qualities, the on the court control of his emotions, playing both ends of the floor… it was remarkable. At some point as a player you have to step up and mature.” |
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Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith
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Barkley on the Thunder: “They are going to make the Playoffs. The thing that is going to be interesting in the West is that they can all beat each other. If they are the No. 8 seed, the No. 1 seed is in for a dogfight. I have no idea who is going to win the Western Conference right now. All eight of those teams out West are better than any team in the East.”
Barkley on the probability of the Thunder advancing in the Playoffs: “They are going to be on the road for every series. They aren’t going to get higher than five. With [Russell] Westbrook and [Kevin] Durant healthy, they will have a chance against any team in the Western Conference.” |
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O’Neal on Rockets guard James Harden: “This dude can do it all: penetrate, shoot, shoot from long range, finish at the rim.” |
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