TNT’s NBA coverage of the playoffs continues Thursday, April 24, with doubleheader action featuring the
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Memphis Grizzlies at 8 p.m. ET and the Los Angeles Clippers @ Golden State Warriors at 10:30 p.m.
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Charlotte Bobcats (97) at Miami Heat (101) – Miami leads series 2-0
Brian Anderson (play-by-play) and Greg Anthony (analyst) with Rachel Nichols (reporter)
Anthony on Miami’s Chris Andersen: “Chris Andersen, think about what a coup it was for the Heat to get him, and what he provides off that bench; the size, the athleticism, the shot blocking. And he’s also – what he doesn’t get enough credit for – a great finisher in the paint.”
Anthony on Jefferson struggling through an injury: “You could see he doesn’t have the force; he’s not really able to explode and gather the way he’d like to…and not having that confidence, that you could commit, physically, is an issue. He doesn’t play above the rim, but it [his power] allows him to gather and use his strength, and when he can’t it’s obviously an issue for him and the Bobcats.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith
Barkley on Charlotte adding Al Jefferson during the offseason: “You take your hat off to the Bobcats for signing him over the summer. That was a great pick up. He’s been unbelievable all year.”
Barkley on Dallas guard Monta Ellis: “The guy who has to step up on that team has to be Monta Ellis. At this stage of his career, he’s probably the most explosive player they got. He’s the guy that’s got to step up. Dirk [Nowitzki] is obviously past his prime. Monta Ellis is the most explosive player on that Dallas team.”
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Anthony on Walker: “Even though he’s had his struggles tonight, his aggression has remained and that’s important for young players. You have to continue to believe in yourself.”
Anthony on Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh: “He’s always been a great shooter as a power forward but he’s extended his range as a player on the Heat roster.”
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Portland Trail Blazers (112) at Houston Rockets (105) – Portland leads series 2-0
Joel Meyers (play-by-play) and Chris Webber (analyst) with Marty Snider (reporter)
Webber on Dwight Howard’s aggressive start to the game: “You’ve heard Charles Barkley [and] you’ve heard Shaq debate how does he gets his ball, how does he be aggressive, what should he do? Well, I bet you they both agree if he takes the ball like this and goes to the hole, he’ll be hard to stop.”
Webber on Portland forward Nicolas Batum: “Nicolas Batum, the glue guy, the guy that makes it all work for this team. He’s the guy that brings it all together. Unsung, [he] doesn’t get his name called a lot. [He’s] so aggressive on the defensive end.”
Webber on Dwight Howard playing aggressively to start the game: “I see his pre-post position. You know he’s doing great with his moves, we know he works with Hakeem [Olajuwon] and he does all this…he’s being emphatic; he’s calling for the ball more; he’s being aggressive; he’s not deferring to anyone else and that’s what you want him to do.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal and Smith
Smith on Dwight Howard going to the right places on the floor on offense: “I think the only thing that Dwight will learn, and needs to learn, is regardless of if he gets the ball or not, he needs to be in certain positions on the floor. He doesn’t consistently run to that block, run down the lane; he doesn’t consistently duck in. [It] doesn’t mean you consistently get 17 shots each night, but he has to do that [run to the right positions on the floor].”
Barkley on Houston consistently running its offense through Dwight Howard and not spreading the ball around: “This is not the way they play. It makes their offense stagnant. It takes James Harden out of the game, who’s their best player, [and] it takes Chandler Parsons out of the game.”
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Webber on Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge needing to get teammates involved while they have productive personal offensive performances: “You think about the great players throughout the history of this game…it’s always been a situation where, when they play ball, how can they make their team win? They get badmouthed when they’re doing good and they can’t keep their teammates involved. Those guys like a Kobe [Bryant], like a LeBron [James], find ways to be so dominant and keep everyone else involved.”
Webber on James Harden: “[James] Harden is so crafty. This is when you get scared. He leads the league in fourth quarter free throws. In the fourth quarter, he’s so crafty, he’s such a veteran.”
Webber on Lillard helping the Trail Blazers in a variety of ways: “When he’s missing his shots, he gives more extra effort in those areas [rebounding] to help his team and that’s what you have to like about a leader who’s an All-Star, who’s your star of your team. They can do much more, and when they can’t score they can help fill up that score box and help your team.”
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Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, Barkley, O’Neal, Smith
Smith on the difference between Aldridge and Howard: “LaMarcus Aldridge is a guy who has a scoring mentality, obviously. The amount of shots Dwight Howard took in the first half, 17, and then come back with five touches is just where he is on the floor.”
O’Neal on what the Rockets need to do to get back on track: “The 1-2 punch for Houston, both guys [Howard and James Harden] have to put together two solid halves.”
O’Neal on the San Antonio Spurs: “Usually when you beat the Spurs it’s not because you beat them or outplay them, it’s because of mental mistakes. Like Pop [Gregg Popovich] said, they didn’t play good defense, turned the ball over, they didn’t hit free throws. You have to put the San Antonio Spurs and Miami in the same category. You can beat them, but can you beat them in a seven-game series?”
Barkley on Charlotte needing to sit down Al Jefferson: “The Bobcats have to sit Al Jefferson for the rest of the season. He was a great pick-up, he’s been phenomenal, had a great season, but we all know when you play basketball and you’re running up and down the court and you’re limping, you’re going to hurt another part of your body…and they’re not going to beat the Heat and I think they have to look at the big picture. Michael [Jordan] has the organization going in the right direction. They’ve got to take a serious stance.”
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