Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the NBA Playoffs – Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the NBA Playoffs – Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The NBA Western Conference Finals on TNT will begin Sunday, May 27, at 8 p.m. ET when the San AntonioSpurs host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.

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TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith

Barkley on Heat forward LeBron James: “If Miami Heat are going to win the championship, he’s got to be the leader because he makes everyone better.”

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Indiana Pacers (83) @ Miami Heat (115) – Miami leads the series 3-2

Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Steve Kerr (analyst) with Craig Sager (reporter)

Kerr on the Heat’s aggressiveness: “Since that Game 3 loss, the Heat have realized they had to play faster and with more of a sense of urgency. They are on edge now and it is showing in their sense of activity on offense.”

Kerr on the increased level of physicality of the Pacers/Heat series: “I think it is a sign of where this series is. This is a sign that Miami actually takes Indiana seriously, I don’t think they did for the first couple games of the series. Now they know they are in for a fight…literally.”

Kerr on Stan Van Gundy being fired as head coach of the Orlando Magic: “If I need a coach, I’m getting on the phone with Stan Van Gundy. He is one of the best in the league. I’m not sure if he wants to get right back into it but, if he does, he should have plenty of opportunities.”

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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith

O’Neal on Haslem’s flagrant foul against Hansbrough: “I respect UD for sticking up for his teammates. That is old school basketball like we used to do.”

Smith on the Miami Heat in Game 5: “Overall, defensively Miami is better [tonight]. Their hands are active; their bodies are active which is getting them fast breaks.”

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Kerr on the injury to Pacers forward Danny Granger: “Granger is huge for this team. Granger’s ankle is of utmost importance to this team. He is their best three-point shooter.”

Kerr on Miami feeling the pressure to perform at home during the Playoffs: “I think a lot of teams playing at home in the Playoffs feel that pressure a little more. You can feel the anxiety of 20,000 people in the building. But when you are on the road, you tend to be a little looser, play a little faster. With all the scrutiny that Miami has received over the years, there is no doubt that they feel that extra heat.”

Kerr on Heat guard Dwyane Wade’s offensive ability: “He is so acrobatic and strong and elusive when he gets to the rim. That is Wade at his best.”

Kerr on Heat forward LeBron James: “He’s been phenomenal in this series. I thought in a weird way that when the focus was on Dwyane Wade in a couple of games it took the pressure off LeBron and he was able to just play.”

Kerr on Pacers Danny Granger not returning to Game 5 due to the ankle injury:  “He’s their leader. For a young club…when their leader goes down on the road, Game 5…that is tough to bounce back from.”

Kerr on Haslem being fined for the flagrant foul against Hansbrough: “The more I think about it and the more replays that I’ve seen; I would be shocked if Haslem is playing in Game 6.  When you think about [Metta] World Peace getting suspended seven games for the elbow to the head [of James Harden], this was arguably just as dangerous. I’m guessing he is suspended for the next game.”

Kerr on the Heat’s defensive prowess: “I think that is what makes this team so scary. It is not just Wade and James offensively and their potential. It is the defense. Any team this deep in the playoffs has to have the ability to make four or five stops in a row during a game. We have seen it with the Spurs and with Oklahoma City, that’s why these teams are here.”

Kerr on Indiana losing to Miami by 32 points:  “We will get to see how this young team responds [for Game 6]. This is such a valuable experience for a young team. You get to see the ups and downs of a playoff experience. This team is stunned by the onslaught of this Miami team.”

TNT’s Cheryl Miller interviewed Heat guard Dwyane Wade after the team’s 32-point win

Wade on his performance in Game 5: “I felt good today. I was in a groove and I let the game come to me.  No question this was a total team effort but it is good for me to get two games in a row like this.”

Wade on Game 6: “Game 6 is going to be physical. This team has a lot of pride, their crowd is going to be ready and they are going to come out with a lot of energy. I think we are ready for that but we’ll see.”

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Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith

Barkley on hard fouls: “I have no problem with hard fouls but when you can actually hurt somebody, that’s when you cross the line. I’ve hit guys because I didn’t want them to get a basket, and I was trying to knock the hell out of them, but I know that I can’t hurt them.”

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