Notes from TNT’s Coverage of NBA – Thursday, March 8, 2012
TNT’s NBA coverage continues Monday, March 19 at 8 p.m. (ET) with doubleheader action
featuring the Chicago Bulls @ Orlando Magic followed by the
Dallas Mavericks @ Denver Nuggets (10:30 p.m. ET)
***CLIP OF THE NIGHT***
(Please click the text below to view)
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TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com
Matt Winer, Shaquille O’Neal and Dennis Scott
O’Neal on Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard: “He’s a great player. If he wants to be a dominant player he has to average 28 points.”
Game 1: Orlando Magic (99) @ Chicago Bulls (94)
Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Mike Fratello (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)
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Fratello on Magic center Dwight Howard and the affect the trade rumors are having on the rest of the team: “For Orlando, it’s been a season of turmoil so far. All the players are looking over their shoulders wondering if they’re going to be part of the trade with Dwight Howard, which may or may not take place. If they’re spending that much time worrying, are they really listening to what their coach is saying every day?”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Winer, O’Neal and Scott
Scott on the Chicago Bulls: “They’re missing C.J. Watson right now. He’s the guy that comes in and knocks down shots for them [when Derrick Rose is out of the game].”
O’Neal on what the Chicago Bulls need down the stretch: “They need another scorer and one more shooter.”
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Fratello on whether the Chicago Bulls can make a run at Miami in the playoffs: ‘They [Chicago] need him [Richard “Rip” Hamilton] back in there if they’re going to make a run at Miami.”
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Game 2: Dallas Mavericks (94) @ Phoenix Suns (96)
Announcers: Dick Stockton (play-by-play), Chris Webber (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)
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Webber on the possibility of Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash being traded: “For fans of Steve Nash, we would love to see him play for a championship.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Winer, O’Neal and Scott
Scott on Dallas Mavericks forward Lamar Odom getting back to his old ways: “Sometimes when you get traded it takes you a little longer to understand the business. Tonight we’re starting to see some of that LO that got championships in L.A.”
O’Neal on Suns center Marcin Gortat: “Gortat is playing great. [He’s] one of my favorite players.”
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Webber on referees reviewing instant replays in close games: “I’m so thankful the competition committee added this in where you do check the instant replays. These games are too important in a shortened season. You want to make sure you have it right, especially when there are 2.5 seconds left. It is great to be able to go to the clock and make sure you have that call right.”
TNT’s David Aldridge interviewed Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill and guard Steve Nash:
Nash on how the Suns maintained the tempo against the Mavericks: “I thought our defense picked up…and we got a little bit of rhythm to our offense. Everyone pitched in tonight.”
Hill on guarding Mavericks center Dirk Nowitzki: “I know I gotta be real physical with him…make life difficult for him. Sometimes he scores, sometimes he doesn’t. He’s a great player and I love playing against him.”
Nash on the Suns making it to the Playoffs: “We are getting better but we have a ways to go. We have to catch up.”
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Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
Winer, O’Neal and Scott
Scott on Dallas Mavericks forward Lamar Odom staying consistent: “He’s finally getting back to his old ways and finally playing solid basketball. I think he can stay consistent. He has knocked off his sensitivities and now he can get back to playing his game.”
O’Neal on possible concerns with the Mavericks recent losing streak: “There aren’t any [concerns]. When you win a championship, you think you have the blueprint. Right now, I think they are in post-mode and they just want to wait to get to the Playoffs. Hopefully, everyone will be healthy and Lamar Odom is playing at a high level.”
O’Neal on the Mavericks having enough stamina to get back on a championship level: “Defensively, I don’t think they have enough. Offensively, they play well at home and on the road. And when you are a team that plays well on the road, you don’t really need home court advantage. Right now, they are just coasting until the Playoffs. In the Playoffs they are going to get hot and be ready to defend their title.”
O’Neal on Suns guard Steve Nash: “I love Steve but he only has one or two years left, we all know that. I respect Steve for saying he doesn’t want to be traded. The only way Steve should get a trade is if he goes to a team and they guarantee and they know they can win.”
O’Neal on Bulls guard Derrick Rose: “He’s a great player. I’m worried about him because he is doing a lot of scoring. I hope he doesn’t tire himself out before the Playoffs.”
O’Neal on Bulls forward Carlos Boozer: “Carlos Boozer has to be more aggressive. Right now he is just focused on shooting 15 footers.”
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