TNT’s NBA Playoff coverage will continue with three straight nights of exclusive second round doubleheaders beginning tonight, Monday, March 5, and a pair of Game 1 matchups – the Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Los Angeles Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder at 9:30 p.m.
Turner Sports NBA analysts Reggie Miller, Greg Anthony and Grant Hill, who will all be a part of the network’s coverage, look ahead at the second round of the playoffs:
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Three Players to Watch in the Second Round: |
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REGGIE MILLER |
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Roy Hibbert: “Can he play any worse? Atlanta wasn’t a good series for Roy because of their ability to spread the floor with their shooting. The Wizards big men – Nene and Marcin Gortat – are more traditional, in-the-paint bigs. Roy can be that rim protector again.” | |
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DeAndre Jordan: “He is playing at an all-time high level for [head coach] Doc Rivers after being slighted for Defensive Player of the Year. He is showing how important his defense is for the Clippers.” | ||
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Kevin Durant: “The Oklahoman newspaper headline was probably the best thing to happen to KD – it woke him up! “Mr. Reliable” will show why he will earn his first MVP title.” | ||
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GREG ANTHONY |
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Dwyane Wade: “His health has been an on-going issue all season. He was solid against the Bobcats but the Nets will require him to be better.” | |
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Deron Williams: “His health and effectiveness will be key against the champs.” | ||
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John Wall: “He was an All-Star for the first time this season and could become a superstar with a great series if he’s able to lead his team to the Eastern Conference Finals.” | ||
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GRANT HILL |
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Damian Lillard: “He’s going against [Spurs point guard] Tony Parker, probably the most consistent point guard, and the most championship tested, playoff tested point guard that’s in the league. I want to see how he responds to Tony’s constant pressure, to his constant probing, constant attacking. Also how he makes Tony work on the other end by going at him offensively. I’m excited to see what Lillard can and will do.” | |
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John Wall: “Indiana struggled mightily with Jeff Teague. [Pacers guard] George Hill will have a difficult time defending guys like [John] Wall with speed and quickness. Washington’s strength is Indiana’s weakness. I look for big production from John Wall.” | ||
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Chris Paul: “[Oklahoma City point guard] Russell Westbrook’s play will be a challenge for him. Chris Paul has been hampered by a hamstring injury, and matched up against Westbrook, will he be able to physically go after him? If Chris can play well on both sides of the ball, the Clippers can move on.” | ||
| The Most Dangerous Team Heading into the Second Round:
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REGGIE MILLER
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Washington Wizards: “They are young, talented and well-rested. They shoot the ball well and are very underrated defensively. They should challenge the Pacers.” | |
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GREG ANTHONY
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Washington Wizards: “They have confidence, balance and are gaining experience with each game. Nene was a beast in the first round and they have the best young backcourt in the league. [Trevor] Ariza has been clutch and has championship experience…watch out!” | |
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GRANT HILL
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Washington Wizards: “They are very dangerous. You have the most talented young backcourt in John Wall and Bradley Beal; they have great chemistry out there on the court when they’re together. In a few years they have a chance to be the best backcourt. I like [Trevor] Ariza and what he does offensively; he can shoot the ball, he’s a slasher, he can get up and down the court, along with Wall and Beal. He’s a good defender. I like the big guys inside…Nene and [Marcin] Gortat play extremely well together. They’re in a great rhythm, a great group, whereas Indiana, as we all know, is struggling.” | |
| Which Team or Player Made the Biggest First Round Statement? | |||
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REGGIE MILLER
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Portland Trail Blazers: “Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge both grew up in front of our eyes. It will be interesting to see if they can stop to the Spurs’ high-octane offense.” | ||
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GREG ANTHONY
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LaMarcus Aldridge: “While Damian Lillard made the biggest shot; LaMarcus Aldridge made a monster statement with his performance. The postseason is where you lay claim to your legacy as a player and Aldridge is making a case for superstardom.” | ||
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GRANT HILL
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Los Angeles Clippers: “In terms of what they’ve gone through and all the adversity, how they were able to stay focused and rally around each other in the midst of all these distractions, I’d have to point towards them. I think that [adversity] can help them. It can help galvanize them as they go up a team that they’ve struggled against in Oklahoma City.” | ||
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TNT’s NBA Playoffs Coverage Continues with Exclusive Second Round Doubleheaders
TNT’s NBA Playoff coverage will tip off with three straight nights of exclusive second round doubleheaders beginning tonight, Monday, March 5, with a pair of Game 1 matchups – the Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Los Angeles Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder at 9:30 p.m.
Ian Eagle will call the Wizards/Pacers Game 1 with analyst Chris Webber and reporter Tracy Wolfson. Marv Albert will provide play-by-play for Clippers/Thunder Game 1 with analyst Steve Kerr and reporter Lewis Johnson.
The network’s second round action will continue with exclusive doubleheaders Tuesday, March 6 – Brooklyn at Miami, Game 1, at 7 p.m. followed by Portland at San Antonio Game 1 at 9:30 p.m. – and Wednesday, March 7 with Wizards/Pacers, Game 2, at 7 p.m. followed by Clippers/Thunder, Game 2, at 9:30 p.m.
Brian Anderson will handle play-by-play for Tuesday’s Nets/Heat game alongside analyst Greg Anthony and reporter Rachel Nichols; Kevin Harlan will call the Trail Blazers/Spurs game with analyst Reggie Miller and reporter Jaime Maggio.
Eagle will call Wednesday’s Wizards/Pacers game alongside analyst Webber and Tracy Wolfson; Albert will call Clippers/Thunder with analyst Kerr and reporter David Aldridge.
Following each night’s action, the Sports Emmy® Award-winning Inside the NBA presented by Kia studio show with Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Shaquille O’Neal (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst) will recap the games.
TNT’s Upcoming NBA Playoff Schedule:
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Day/Date |
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| Time (ET) | Game/Commentators |
| Monday, May 5 | |
| 7 p.m. | Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers (Game 1)
Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Chris Webber (analyst) with Tracy Wolfson (reporter) |
| 9:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Clipper at Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 1)
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst) with Lewis Johnson (reporter) |
| Postgame | Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Shaquille O’Neal (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst) |
| Tuesday, May 6 | |
| 7 p.m. | Brooklyn Nets at Miami Heat (Game 1)
Brian Anderson (play-by-play), Greg Anthony (analyst) with Rachel Nichols (reporter) |
| 9:30 p.m. | Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs (Game 1)
Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst) with Jaime Maggio (reporter) |
| Postgame | Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst) |
| Wednesday, May 7 | |
| 7 p.m. | Washington Wizards at Indiana Pacers (Game 2)
Eagle (play-by-play), Webber (analyst) with Wolfson (reporter) |
| 9:30 p.m. | Los Angeles Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 2)
Albert (play-by-play), Kerr (analyst) with David Aldridge (reporter) |
| Postgame | Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst) |
| Sunday, May 11 | |
| 7:30 p.m. | NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com
Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst) |
| 8 p.m. | Indiana Pacers at Washington Wizards (Game 4) |
| Postgame | Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst) |
| Monday, May 12 | |
| 8 p.m. | Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets (Game 4) |
| 10:30 p.m. | San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers (Game 4) |
| Postgame | Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), O’Neal (analyst) and Smith (analyst) |
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