TNT’s NBA coverage of the playoffs continue tonight, Tuesday, April 28, with doubleheader action featuring the Dallas Mavericks @ Houston Rockets at 8 p.m. ET and the San Antonio Spurs @ Los Angeles Clippers at 10:30 p.m.
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TNT NBA Tip-off presented by Autotrader
Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith
Smith on the Bucks: “They have a lot of length. You can’t make the typical pass against them. They are a little bit freakish in nature.”Barkley on Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith: “I don’t think J.R is a bad guy, but I think he does stupid things.”
O’Neal on J.R. Smith’s two-game suspension: “One game would have been absurd, two games is okay. I don’t think he was trying to hit him in his face. Yes, he was trying to hit him. It was a cheap play, so two games is fair.”
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Milwaukee Bucks (94) @ Chicago Bulls (88) Bulls lead series 3-2
Brian Anderson (play-by-play) Steve Smith (analyst) with Allie LaForce (reporter)
Smith on Jared Dudley and Michael Carter-Williams: “I like what he has done defensively and scoring wise. Since he can shoot the ball with some range, it gives him some space and gives his offense some more space. If Michael Carter-Williams works on that, he will be one of those players that is hard to guard because he can shoot the jumper and get into the paint. Right now his jump shot doesn’t allow him to create space, but Jared Dudley (because of his offense) can.”
Barkley on the future of Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams: “I call Jason Kidd the ‘point guard whisperer’ and he is going to make this kid a perennial All-Star.”
Smith on Bulls guard Derrick Rose getting back in rare form: “We talk about one day rest or two day rest. All I need to watch is how he is moving to determine how good he will be.”
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Memphis Grizzlies (92) @ Portland Trail Blazers (99); Grizzlies lead 3-1
Kevin Calabro (play-by-play) Brent Barry (analyst) with Lewis Johnson (reporter)
Smith on Tony Allen defending Damian Lillard: “Tony Allen is a great defender, but he’s not a great defender on a point guard that knows how to score.”
Barry on the Grizzlies: “The right guys stepping up at the right time has been their recipe for success this year.”
O’Neal on center Meyers Leonard: “He’s big, he’s physical…and he can shoot it from long range. He’s Baby [Arvydas] Sabonis…a big guy that can shoot.”
Barkley on Arvydas Sabonis: “He was one of the five best players in the world. He got to the NBA, blew out both Achilles, gained 100 pounds and still made it to the All-Star Game.”
Barry on adjusting the lineup with guard Wesley Matthews being out: “So much of the heart and soul of what Portland was doing during the first half of the season happens to be what they were doing on the defensive end of the floor. You had Wes Matthews that could score and put you in a bind defensively. There is so much missing with Wes Matthews out of the lineup.”
Barry on LaMarcus Aldridge staying in Portland after the season ends: “It’s tricky because he’s been non-committal to the Trail Blazers after playing for nine years. If he leaves, he would be the best player to put on a Rip City jersey. We will see if [Neil] Olshey
can get that deal done over the summer. Whether he stays or goes, he will always have a place in Portland.”
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Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, O’Neal, Barkley, Smith
Barkley on the Bucks: “They play extremely hard with great energy. Energy is one of the most underrated talents in the NBA.”
O’Neal on what the Bulls need to do in Game 6: “Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose have to shoot much better if they expect to beat these young guys.”
O’Neal on the Hawks in Game 4: “The pressure is definitely on the Hawks. I think it is fair to say whoever wins Game 5 will win the series.”
Barkley on guard Jeff Teague: “He has to speed the tempo of the game up and get some easy fast break points.”
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