In one of the most anticipated NBA games of the year, TNT gets to carry the first game LeBron James will play in Cleveland since announcing his decision to go to the Miami Heat. The game will air this Thursday as part of TNT’s Thursday night doubleheader. I expect some very good ratings for the network of record for the NBA.
LeBron James Returns to Cleveland with the Miami Heat on TNT NBA ThursdayExclusive doubleheader features Heat @ Cavaliers (8 p.m. ET) and Suns @ Warriors (10:30 p.m. ET)TNT NBA Thursday continues on December 2 with an exclusive doubleheader featuring Miami Heat forward LeBron James’ first game in Cleveland since leaving the Cavaliers prior to the season. TNT NBA Tip-Off will get preview the game at 8 p.m. (ET) with host Ernie Johnson and analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith live at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Following NBA Tip-Off, James makes his return to Cleveland with the Heat to face Mo Williams and the Cavaliers. James, an Akron, Ohio native, spent seven seasons with the Cavaliers before joining the Heat in the off-season. Play-by-play announcer Marv Albert will call the game alongside analysts Steve Kerr and Reggie Miller with Craig Sager reporting.In the second game of the night, Monta Ellis and the Golden State Warriors will host Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns at 10:30 p.m. (ET). Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Mike Fratello (analyst) will be courtside with Cheryl Miller reporting. TNT’s Emmy® Award-winning studio show, Inside the NBA will air directly following the conclusion of the second game with the NBA TV’s Matt Winer (host), Kevin McHale and Chris Webber (analysts) in Atlanta recapping the night’s action.Exclusive content, analysis from TNT announcers and replays of Inside the NBA are available on TNT OverTime on NBA.com. The broadband channel gives fans the inside scoop on players, coaches and storylines taking place around the league seven days a week. 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 updates and special features from TNT announcers.NBA ON TNT NBA SCHEDULE:Thu., December 28 p.m. TNT NBA Tip-Off live at Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, OH)Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)8:15 p.m. Miami Heat @ Cleveland CavaliersAnnouncers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)10:30 p.m. Phoenix Suns @ Golden State WarriorsAnnouncers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Mike Fratello (analyst) and Cheryl Miller (reporter)Post-game Inside the NBAMatt Winer (host), Kevin McHale (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)TNT NBA THURSDAY UPCOMING SCHEDULE:Thu., December 98 p.m. TNT NBA Tip-OffErnie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)8:15 p.m. Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ersAnnouncers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)10:30 p.m. Orlando Magic @ Portland Trail BlazersAnnouncers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Mike Fratello (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)Post-game Inside the NBAErnie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)
I’ll be back later.