TNT’s Extensive 2017 NBA Playoffs Coverage – More Than 40 Games – Begins Sunday, April 16, with Tripleheader Action
Network to Exclusively Present 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals
Sports Emmy Award-Winning Inside the NBA, Along with Area 21 featuring Kevin Garnett,
Highlight TNT’s NBA Playoffs Studio Coverage
TNT, in its 33rd consecutive year of NBA coverage, will televise more than 40 NBA Playoff games – the most of any network – including first and second round action and the exclusive presentation of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. The network’s playoff coverage will tip off Sunday, April 16, with a tripleheader – Washington Wizards hosting Atlanta Hawks at 1 p.m. ET; Boston Celtics hosting Chicago Bulls at 6:30 p.m. and Houston Rockets hosting Oklahoma City Thunder at 9 p.m.
TNT’s NBA Playoff coverage will feature the Sports Emmy Award-winning studio team of host Ernie Johnson alongside Hall of Famers Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal and two-time NBA Champion Kenny Smith providing analysis during the TNT NBA Tip-Off Presented by Autotrader pre-game show and the American Express Halftime Report, with extensive postgame coverage on Inside the NBA presented by Kia.
Segments from Area 21 – with TNT analyst Kevin Garnett and special guests each week – will be incorporated into studio coverage on Mondays throughout the first and second round. Additional Area 21 content will be available exclusively across KG Area 21 social media handles. Garnett’s Area 21 guests on Monday, April 16, will be 17-year veteran and NBA Champion Tayshaun Prince and Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas.
The network’s Sports Emmy Award-winning playoff coverage will include four commentator teams during the first round:
- Marv Albert with analyst Brent Barry
- Kevin Harlan with analyst Reggie Miller
- Brian Anderson with analyst Kevin McHale
- Ian Eagle with analyst Greg Anthony
Reporters will include David Aldridge, Kristen Ledlow, Dennis Scott, Lewis Johnson, Allie LaForce, Rebecca Haarlow, Jaime Maggio and Jen Hale.
TNT’s coverage will continue to feature state-of-the-art technological elements during the playoffs including super-slow-motion cameras that will provide viewers with gripping replays at key moments of the games. TNT will also feature the continued use of player mics to bring fans the sounds of the game from the floor.
Additionally, TNT’s NBA Playoff coverage will include the use of robotic cameras placed above each backboard to provide compelling looks at the action and a “steady cam” that will capture close-up shots, along with visuals from player warm-ups used during the studio shows. TNT’s studio coverage will also incorporate a virtual graphics package to introduce key game and player match-ups.
TNT Overtime on NBA.com and in the NBA App will deliver enhanced coverage for over 30 playoff games – more than ever before – with exclusive content and analysis from TNT commentators. The unique companion experience allows fans to watch the game via four alternate camera angles, including Advanced Performance Replays sponsored by Nissan throughout the entirety of the playoffs. New this season, TNT Overtime’s highlights, stats and play-by-play integrations will be available alongside the live game experience. Opening round sponsors for TNT Overtime also include Verizon and Ruffles.
Additionally, live streaming coverage of all NBA on TNT playoff games is available via http://www.tntdrama.com/watchtnt and the Watch TNT app. Fans are able to access the games whenever and wherever they desire by logging in with the user name and password provided by their TV service provider.
2017 NBA on TNT Playoffs Schedule
Sunday, April 16
1 p.m. - TNT NBA Tip-Off Presented by Autotrader
Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith & Shaquille O’Neal
Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards, Game 1
Ian Eagle, Greg Anthony & Allie LaForce
6 p.m. - TNT NBA Tip-Off Presented by Autotrader
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
6:30 p.m. - Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics, Game 1
Brian Anderson, Kevin McHale & Dennis Scott
9 p.m. - Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets, Game 1
Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller & David Aldridge
Postgame - Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Monday, April 17
7 p.m. - TNT NBA Tip-Off Presented by Autotrader
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Area 21
Kevin Garnett, Tayshaun Prince & Isiah Thomas
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Game 2
Marv Albert, Brent Barry & Kristen Ledlow
9:30 p.m. - Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs, Game 2
Harlan, Miller & Jaime Maggio
Postgame - Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Tuesday, April 18
8 p.m. - TNT NBA Tip-Off Presented by Autotrader
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics, Game 2
Anderson, McHale & Scott
10:30 p.m. - Utah Jazz vs. L.A. Clippers, Game 2
Eagle, Anthony & Rebecca Haarlow
Postgame - Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Wednesday, April 19
8 p.m. - TNT NBA Tip-Off Presented by Autotrader
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets, Game 2
Harlan, Miller & Aldridge
10:30 p.m. - Portland Trail Blazers vs. Golden State Warriors, Game 2
Albert, Barry & Lewis Johnson
Postgame - Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Thursday, April 20
7 p.m. - TNT NBA Tip-Off Presented by Autotrader
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers, Game 3
Anderson, McHale & Ledlow
9:30 p.m. - San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies, Game 3
Eagle, Anthony & Maggio
Postgame - Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
Saturday, April 22
2:30 p.m. - TNT NBA Tip-Off Presented by Autotrader
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
3 p.m. - Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks, Game 4
Albert, Barry & Jen Hale
5:30 p.m. - Washington Wizards vs. Atlanta Hawks, Game 3
Eagle, Anthony & LaForce
Sunday, April 23
6 p.m. - TNT NBA Tip-Off Presented by Autotrader
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
6:30 p.m. - Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls, Game 4
Anderson, McHale & Scott
9 p.m. - L.A. Clippers vs. Utah Jazz, Game 4
Harlan, Miller & Haarlow
Postgame - Inside the NBA presented by Kia
Johnson, Barkley, Smith & O’Neal
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