TNT will carry Game 7 of the Celtics-Magic series on Sunday night and that will lead into the network’s coverage of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals next week. TNT cannot ask for a better scenario as the winner will take on the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers. If the Celtics advance, TNT will have a potential ratings bonanza as you have the defending champions (granted without Kevin Garnett) taking on the heavily favored Cavs. TNT has to be rooting for a six or seven game series, although as it stands now, it looks to be a walkover in favor of the Cavs.
And if Orlando wins, I would think TNT would still garner good ratings, but not as high as if the Celtics advanced. That’s my feeling. Anyway, here’s TNT’s press release.
Orlando Magic Face Boston Celtics in Game #7 Exclusively on TNT on Sunday
Magic/Celtics winner heads to Eastern Conference Finals on TNT
TNT’s “40 Games in 40 Nights” of the 2009 NBA Playoffs continues on Sunday, May 17 with exclusive coverage of Game #7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The action gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET with a special 30-minute edition of NBA Tip-Off with Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst). Following the pre-game show, Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics will square off against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic at 8 p.m. ET. Marv Albert (play-by-play) will call the game alongside analyst Reggie Miller and David Aldridge (reporter). To finish the evening’s coverage, Johnson, Barkley, Smith and Webber will break down the games that day and preview the Eastern Conference Finals on the Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA.
TNT’s exclusive coverage of the 2009 NBA Eastern Conference Finals will get underway on Wednesday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET with 30-minute edition of NBA Tip-Off with Johnson (host), Barkley (analyst), Miller (analyst) and Smith (analyst). At 8:30 p.m. ET, LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers will host either the Boston Celtics or the Orlando Magic in Game #1 of the best-of-seven series. Calling the action will be Albert (play-by-play) and Doug Collins (analyst) with Craig Sager reporting courtside.
NBA TV will also continue to provide extensive coverage of the 2009 NBA Playoffs every night with 30-minute pre-game shows prior to network studio coverage as well as hour-long NBA GameTime post-game shows that feature full press conferences, interviews and highlights of playoff action. In addition, the network will provide analysis and commentary from NBA TV announcers Rick Kamla (host), Andre Aldridge (host), Eric Snow (analyst) and Steve Smith (analyst).
Exclusive content, analysis from TNT announcers and replays of Inside the NBA are available on TNT OverTime on NBA.com. The broadband channel offers an all-access pass to the excitement and drama of the NBA Playoffs, with special features and reports being added throughout the postseason.
NBA CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS ON TNT SCHEDULE
Sunday, May 17
7:30 p.m.
NBA Tip-Off
Ernie Johnson (host
), Charles Barkley (analyst),Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)
8 p.m.
Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics (Game #7)
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst)
and David Aldridge (reporter)
Post-game
Inside the NBA
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)
NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS ON TNT SCHEDULE
Wednesday May 20
8 p.m.
NBA Tip-Off
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
8:30 p.m.
Boston Celtics/Orlando Magic
@ Cleveland Cavaliers (Game #1)
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Doug Collins (analyst)
and Craig Sager (reporter)
Post-game
Inside the NBA
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
Friday, May 22
8 p.m.
NBA Tip-Off
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
8:30 p.m.
Boston Celtics/Orlando Magic
@ Cleveland Cavaliers (Game #2)
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Doug Collins (analyst)
and Craig Sager (reporter)
Post-game
Inside the NBA
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
Sunday, May 24
8 p.m.
NBA Tip-Off
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
8:30 p.m.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics/
Orlando Magic (Game #3)
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Doug Collins (analyst)
and Craig Sager (reporter)
Post-game
Inside the NBA
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
Tuesday, May 26
8 p.m.
NBA Tip-Off
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
8:30 p.m.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics/
Orlando Magic (Game #4)
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Doug Collins (analyst)
and Craig Sager (reporter)
Post-game
Inside the NBA
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
Thursday, May 28
8 p.m.
NBA Tip-Off
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
8:30 p.m.
Boston Celtics/Orlando Magic @
Cleveland Cavaliers (Game #5)*
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Doug Collins (analyst)
and Craig Sager (reporter)
Post-game
Inside the NBA
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
Saturda
y, May 30
8 p.m.
NBA Tip-Off
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
8:30 p.m.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics/
Orlando Magic (Game #6)*
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Doug Collins (analyst)
and Craig Sager (reporter)
Post-game
Inside the NBA
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
Monday, June 1
8 p.m.
NBA Tip-Off
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
8:30 p.m.
Boston Celtics/Orlando Magic @
Cleveland Cavaliers (Game #7)*
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Doug Collins (analyst)
and Craig Sager (reporter)
Post-game
Inside the NBA
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst),
Reggie Miller (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
(* If necessary)
NBA PLAYOFFS ON NBA TV SCHEDULE
Friday, May 15
7 – 7:30 p.m.
NBA GameTime
Andre Aldridge (host) and Eric Snow (analyst)Saturday, May 16
7 – 7:30 p.m.
NBA GameTime
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)Sunday, May 17
2 – 2:30 p.m.
NBA GameTime
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
6 – 7 p.m.
NBA GameTime (Rockets/Lakers Game #7 postgame)
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
10:30 – 11:30 p.m.
NBA GameTime (Magic/Celtics Game #7 postgame)
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
11:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.
NBA GameTime
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
Monday, May 18
7 – 7:30 p.m.
NBA GameTime
Andre Aldridge (host) and Eric Snow (analyst)
Tuesday, May 19
7:30 – 8 p.m.
NBA GameTime
Andre Aldridge (host) and Eric Snow (analyst)
11:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
NBA GameTime (WCF Game #1 postgame)
Andre Aldridge (host) and Eric Snow (analyst)
12:30 – 1 a.m.
NBA GameTime
Andre Aldridge (host) and Eric Snow (analyst)
Wednesday, May 20
7:30 – 8 p.m.
NBA GameTime
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
11 p.m. – 12 a.m.
NBA GameTime (ECF Game #1 postgame)
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
12 – 12:30 a.m.
NBA GameTime
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
Thursday, May 21
7:30 – 8 p.m.
NBA GameTime
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
11:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
NBA GameTime (WCF Game #2 postgame)
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
12:30 – 1 a.m.
NBA GameTime
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
Friday, May 22
7:30 – 8 p.m.
NBA GameTime
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
11 p.m. – 12 a.m.
NBA GameTime (ECF Game #2 postgame)
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
12 – 12:30 a.m.
NBA GameTime
Rick Kamla (host) and Steve Smith (analyst)
I would expect ESPN/ABC would send over a release on the Western Conference Finals and its Game 7 coverage of Rockets-Houston on Sunday, but that’s up to ESPN/ABC.
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