TNT’s NBA coverage of the 2013 NBA Playoffs begins on Sunday, April 21, with tripleheader action
***CLIP OF THE NIGHT***
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Gone Fishin’ Time: The Inside the NBA studio crew sends several teams fishing
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TNT NBA Tip-off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith
Barkley on the Atlanta Hawks’ chances in the playoffs: “The good thing about Atlanta is they’ve got a great airport here so, after the first round of the playoffs, they will be able to get [away for ] a really great trip somewhere.”
Smith on the Hawks: “They’re not a team looking to win a championship…[they’re] in a no man’s land of the NBA.”
Barkley on Atlanta’s ability to win a championship: “To win a championship you have to [say], ‘Okay guys, we’re all in this together.’ Atlanta is not all in right now.”
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Game 1: Toronto Raptors (113) @ Atlanta Hawks (96)
Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)
Miller on Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay: “They both have to improve their outside shooting.”
Miller on the importance of being able to shoot the ball well in the NBA: “If you can shoot in this league, you can survive 10-15 years. Kyle Korver has made a living…being able to stretch the floor.”
Miller on the “Reggie Award” (which were given out throughout the telecast) for Sixth Man of the Year: “J.R. Smith has been one of the most consistent players [in the league]…especially when Carmelo [Anthony] was hurt.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith
O’Neal on the Atlanta Hawks first half of play: “These guys don’t have a lot of time [to prepare] for the playoffs. They stink right now.”
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Miller on the effort of the Hawks vs. Toronto: “Between the three guys in the studio [Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal], myself, and we’ll put you [Kevin Harlan] at the point; we might come out here and put forth a more competitive effort.”
Miller on the “Reggie Award” for Most Improved Player: “I can have ties – Paul George and Nik Vucevic. [Paul George] is really becoming the face of the Pacers [along with Roy Hibbert].”
Miller on the “Reggie Award” for Rookie of the Year: “This was easy – Damian Lillard, head and shoulders above the rookie pack.”
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Game 2: Portland Trail Blazers (77) @ L.A. Clippers (93)
Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst) and Lewis Johnson (reporter)
Kerr on the L.A. Clippers: “I really like the way they’re playing. They’re playing with some pop.”
Kerr on the Western Conference standings: “Most teams in the West would prefer to play San Antonio than OKC.”
Kerr on Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts: “Terry Stotts will be the coach here for a long time. He just needs more horses.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith
Barkley on L.A. Clippers center Blake Griffin: “He’s got to have more of an impact on the game.”
Barkley on the L.A. Clippers: “That team has got no toughness. They’re not a legitimate contender.”
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Kerr on the L.A. Clippers: “This lineup is fun to watch.”
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Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith
Barkley on the San Antonio Spurs entering the playoffs: “If [Manu] Ginobili and [Tony] Parker are healthy, I love the Spurs to win [their first round] series.”
Smith on the Toronto Raptors: “This team has a bright future next season. Next year they will be fighting for a playoff spot.”
Barkley on the New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics first round playoff series: “That, to me, is going to be an intriguing series. It’s going to be a great series. I’m going with the New York Knicks.”
Smith on the Knicks J.R. Smith: “He’s almost as tough to guard sometimes as Carmelo.”
O’Neal on who will win the Knicks/Celtics first round series: “I’m going with the Celtics to win this series.”
Smith on the Knicks in the first round: “The Knicks are going to be able to play at their tempo.”
Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR.
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