Tonight, it’s another NBA doubleheader on TNT, the network that should be allowed to air the NBA Finals in the next TV contract. Here’s a partner that has been loyal to the NBA since the mid-1980’s, put the games on TBS then TNT, took over the operations of what was a totally boring NBA TV and turned it into a decent channel and has cash to air the Finals if it’s allowed to. I know ESPN loves having the Finals on ABC, but if Turner can convince the league to put the games on cable, then this is a no-brainer and Turner can alternate with ESPN just like it will do with the NCAA Final Four with CBS starting in 2015.
Anyway, TNT will have its regular two Thursday night games with the Lakers taking on the Knicks in a bi-coastal matchup. Charles Barkley makes another appearance out of the studio and at a game site, this time at Madison Square Garden, joining Marv Albert and Steve Kerr at the broadcast table. David Aldridge gets the sideline assignment.
In the nightcap, it will be David Stern’s least favorite team, the San Antonio Spurs taking on the Portland Trail Blazers. Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller will be courtside with Craig Sager and his loud wardrobe roaming the arena.
Here’s the TNT press release.
NBA on TNT Exclusive Doubleheader: L.A. Lakers vs. New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers Tonight Beginning at 8 ET
TNT’s Charles Barkley to Provide Game Analysis for Lakers vs. Knicks at 8 p.m. ET;
Chris Webber Joins Studio Crew for this Week’s ActionThe NBA on TNT will continue tonight with exclusive coverage of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant taking on the New York Knicks and Carmelo Anthony from Madison Square Garden at 8 ET. Marv Albert will call the game with analysts Charles Barkley and Steve Kerr and reporter David Aldridge. TNT’s exclusive coverage will continue with the San Antonio Spurs and Tim Duncan visiting the Portland Trail Blazers and standout rookie Damian Lillard at 10:30 p.m. Kevin Harlan will provide play-by-play with analyst Reggie Miller and reporter Craig Sager. Chris Webber will join the Inside the NBA studio team with host Ernie Johnson and analysts Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith.
Exclusive NBA content, analysis from TNT announcers and replays of Inside the NBA are available on NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/insidethenba/). The broadband channel gives fans the inside scoop on players and storylines taking place around the league seven days a week. Additionally, check out the NBA on TNT pages on Twitter (http://twitter.com/NBAonTNT) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/nbaontnt) to see the latest NBA on TNT schedule, news and special features.
NBA on TNT Upcoming Schedule:
DAY/DATE TIME (ET) EVENT Thursday, December 13 8 p.m. ET TNT NBA Tip-Off Ernie Johnson (host), Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber (analysts) Los Angeles Lakers @ New York Knicks Marv Albert (play-by-play), Charles Barkley and Steve Kerr (analysts) and David Aldridge (reporter) 10:30 p.m. San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter) Post-game Inside the NBA Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber Thursday, December 20 7 p.m. TNT NBA Tip-Off Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith Oklahoma City Thunder @ Minnesota Timberwolves Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller and Chris Webber (analysts) and Marty Snider (reporter) 9:30 p.m. Miami Heat @ Dallas Mavericks Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr and Mike Fratello (analysts), and Craig Sager (reporter) Post-game Inside the NBA Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith
That’s it.
