Notes from NBA on TNT Playoff Coverage – Friday, May 22, 2015
TNT’s exclusive coverage of the 2015 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 between the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers will continue tomorrow Sunday, May 24, at 8:30 p.m. ET. The NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader pre-game show will preview the live game action at 8 p.m.
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TNT NBA Tip-off presented by Autotrader
Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal
Smith on Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll playing through injury in Game 2: “You can’t guard LeBron James on one leg…I don’t know many that can guard him with two. This is a big blow for the Atlanta Hawks.”
O’Neal on Carroll: “Carol is the heart and soul of the Atlanta Hawks. I commend him for coming back to play.”
O’Neal on Hawks sharpshooter Kyle Korver: “If you’re a team with championship aspirations, your shooter has to keep busy. Don’t tell me he can’t get off the shot. He has to get off the shot. He has to get going, play big, and knock down timely shots for the Hawks to have a chance.”
Smith on the Cavaliers without injured point guard Kyrie Irving: “The Cavaliers have been playing without him for the last 5 or 6 games because [even when he’s in the game] he hasn’t been the same Kyrie Irving. I don’t think their attack will change.”
Smith on how pace of play can work in the Cavaliers’ favor: “If you are watching the game at home and it doesn’t look like a tennis match or a ping pong match, that means the Hawks are losing. When the ball gets stationary on either end of the court, the Cavs have the advantage. When LeBron just has it and it’s not moving, he is good enough to make a play. When the Hawks have it and it’s stationary, they are not good enough to make a play. If the ball is moving around, it is the Hawks game.”
O’Neal on Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson: “He’s an animal out there and a very hard worker. He’s definitely been doing his job.”
O’Neal on Cavs point guard Matthew Dellavedova starting in Kyrie Irving’s absence: “Let’s not forget what he did in the Chicago series when he got hot. We know this guy is a capable player.”
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Cleveland Cavaliers (94) @ Atlanta Hawks (82); Cavs lead series 2-0
Marv Albert play-by-play) Chris Webber & Reggie Miller (analysts) with Rachel Nichols and David Aldridge (reporters)
Webber on Carroll guarding James with an injured left knee: “You have to admire Carroll’s heart tonight. You’re guarding the best player in the league on one wheel, but at the same time you have to make sure that you can offer your team as much help you can without being a hindrance, since you can’t move as well as you would like.”
Webber on Hawks guard Kent Bazemore: “That’s what Bazemore does. He’s an energy player, gets the crowd involved and attacks the basket. Players like that keep the crowd in it and keep the game close with their extra effort.”
Miller on the Hawks offense in Game 2: “The Hawks are playing isolation offense…they are playing the Cavaliers game! If you go back to Game 1, the Cavs actually had more passes than the Hawks.”
Webber on the Hawks team ball: “When you get back down, how do you get back in? For the Hawks, it is usually about playing as a unit.”
Webber on what Hawks point guard Jeff Teague needs to do for the Hawks to win the series: “This is not a team of superstars, but Teague needs to become one.”
Miller on Cavs forward LeBron James facing an injured DeMarre Carroll: “LeBron realizes he has a wounded animal in front of him.”
Webber on the defensive play of Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert: “Shumpert looks like a ball in a pin ball machine running around chasing [Hawks guard] Kyle Korver and running into those screens. You have to love his effort defensively.”
Miller on the Cavaliers defense: “The defensive effort of the Cavaliers is keeping every one of the Hawks off of the three point line.”
Webber on the Cavaliers control of Game 2: “You know when you have a team by the neck when you have them playing out of character.”
Miller: “Make them play your way. That’s exactly what the Cavaliers have done in these first few games against the Atlanta Hawks.”
Webber on the determination of LeBron James: “LeBron James hasn’t been as efficient as he was in other playoff series, but it just seems he is more determined.”
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Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, Barkley, Smith and O’Neal
Barkley on the Hawks defensive strategy against LeBron James: “The Hawks were doubling him for no reason, way out on the court. Then [Cavs guard] Iman Shumpert was standing there just making wide open shots.”
O’Neal on the lack of energy from the Hawks in Game 2: “I thought when they announced DeMarre Carroll was playing there would be more energy and passion from these guys. They played with no energy.”
Barkley on whether the Hawks can come back from being down 2-0 to win the series: “The Hawks are in trouble. They are going to get swept…plain and simple.”
O’Neal on the similarities between LeBron James and Magic Johnson: “A lot of people try to compare LeBron to Michael Jordan, but he is more like Magic. He is going to keep everybody involved.”
Smith on the chemistry between LeBron James, Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith: “I didn’t know LeBron James could take the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals. That’s basically what he’s doing.”
O’Neal on the dominance of LeBron James: “If you double [team] this guy he is going to pick you apart, and he’s going to get his 30-points…no matter what.”
Barkley on the Cavaliers ability to win while Kyrie Irving is out with injuries: “This is going to be great for Kyrie Irving. He shouldn’t play the rest of the series if the Cavaliers know what they are doing. If I’m Kyrie, I’m not playing until June 4 [in the NBA Finals].”
O’Neal on the Cavs’ instinct: “I think they have a killer instinct, and will try to end the series so they can get some rest. They are getting ready for June 4.”
O’Neal on the Houston Rockets, down 2-0 against the Golden State Warriors: “The Houston Rockets are not intimidated, because they believe they could have won both games. They are comfortable going back home to Houston.”
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