ESPN Networks Highlight Western Conference In This Week’s NBA Coverage

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN has announced its NBA coverage schedule for this week. And in this week’s schedule of games the Thunder and Clippers will be highlighted.

This week’s NBA broadcast schedule kicks off tonight with a double header schedule on ESPN. First up on the night is a cross-conference matchup between Memphis and Boston. While the showdown pits teams from opposite conferences against one another it still will have its own playoff implications. Boston currently sits third overall in the East, seven games back from Cleveland while Memphis currently sits 5^th in the West, eighteen and a half games back from the Warriors. Neither team has yet clinched a playoff berth. So win or lose tonight’s game between the Celtics and Grizzles will play a big part in the teams’ playoff fates. Tipoff for tonight’s game is scheduled for 7pm ET. Mark Jones will have the call for the game. He will be joined by Tim Legler for additional commentary.

Second up on the night is a Western Conference matchup between Oklahoma City and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Thunder welcome the Clippers into the Chesapeake Arena in a game that will also determine both teams’ playoff fates. That is because neither team yet has clinched its berth in the post season. Oklahoma City currently sits third in the west with the Clippers not too far behind in fourth. Neither team has a chance of catching the Warriors or Spurs. But both teams can potentially set their place in the playoffs. Tipoff for the game is set for 9:30pm ET. The game will be simulcast on ESPN and ESPN Radio. Dave Pasch will have the call for the game on ESPN. He will be joined by Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, and Chris Broussard for additional commentary. On the radio side, Marc Kestecher will have the call for the game. He will be joined by P.J. Carlesimo for additional commentary.

Ahead of Wednesday night’s double header schedule Rachel Nichols, Tracy McGrady, and Brian WIndhorst will have a preview of the night’s games and will look ahead to the rest of the week’s schedule in The Jump beginning at 1pm ET on ESPN2.

After Wednesday night’s double header ESPN will shift its attention to college basketball. It will be carrying coverage of the ACC Tournament and Big Ten Tournament Thursday and Friday. The NBA action picks back up on Saturday night at 8:30 pm ET with a Western Conference matchup between Oklahoma City and San Antonio. The Spurs will play host to the Thunder on NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC presented by La Quinta beginning at 8:30pm ET on ABC. Mike Tirico will have the call for Saturday’s game. He will be joined by analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson for additional commentary. Sage Steele, Jalen Rose, and Doug Collins will preview the night’s matchup and look back on the week’s other games ahead of Saturday’s showdown between the Western Conference opponents. San Antonio has already clinched its spot in the post season. But Oklahoma City has not yet solidified its spot in the playoffs. If it doesn’t clinch Wednesday night, a win Saturday could set its spot in that race.

Cleveland and the Clippers round out the week’s NBA coverage on ESPN and the ESPN networks Sunday afternoon on NBA Sunday Showcase presented by BBVA. Cleveland sits atop the Eastern Conference but has yet to clinch its spot in the playoffs. So the team will be looking to punch its post season ticket in the game. That is because the Raptors, who currently sit second in the East, are currently only two games back from Cleveland. So they are making things very interesting for Cleveland heading into the regular season’s final stretch. Win or lose Wednesday Sunday’s game will still have its own implications for the Clippers, too. That is because the Clippers sit fourth in the West. The fifth-place Grizzlies don’t have a chance of catching the Clippers and the Clippers likely won’t catch the Thunder either. So L.A. will be looking to solidify its place in the post season once and for all Sunday against the Cavs. Mike Breen will have the call for the game. He will be joined by analyst and Hall of Famer Hubie Brown for additional commentary. Reporter Lisa Salters will also be courtside throughout the game for all of the latest updates and more. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30pm ET. The game will be simulcast on ABC, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN Radio. Kevin Calabro will have the call on ESPN Radio. He will be joined by P.J. Carlesimo for additional commentary. The full schedule for this week’s NBA coverage across the ESPN networks is noted below.

 

 

Date	Time (ET)	Telecast/Commentators	Network (s)
Tues, Mar 8	3:30 p.m.	The Jump presented by State Farm Rachel Nichols, Tracy McGrady, Brian Windhorst	ESPN
Wed, Mar 9	1 a.m.	NBA Tonight Cassidy Hubbarth, Tim Legler	ESPN2
	1 p.m.	The Jump presented by State Farm* Rachel Nichols, Tracy McGrady, Brian Windhorst	ESPN2
	7 p.m.	Memphis Grizzlies at Boston Celtics Mark Jones, Jon Barry	ESPN
	9:30 p.m.	Los Angeles Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder Dave Pasch, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Chris Broussard Radio: Marc Kestecher, P.J. Carlesimo	ESPN, ESPN Radio
Thu, Mar 10	1 a.m.	NBA Tonight Cassidy Hubbarth, Brad Daugherty	ESPN2
	3:30 p.m.	The Jump presented by State Farm Rachel Nichols,	ESPN
Fri, Mar 11	1 a.m.	NBA Tonight Cassidy Hubbarth, Brad Daugherty	ESPN2
	3:30 p.m.	The Jump presented by State Farm Rachel Nichols	ESPN
Sat, Mar 12	1 a.m.	NBA Tonight Cassidy Hubbarth, Amin Elhassan	ESPN2
	8 p.m.	NBA Countdown Sage Steele, Jalen Rose, Doug Collins	ABC
	8:30 p.m.	Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs  presented by La Quinta Mike Tirico, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Lisa Salters	ABC
Sun, Mar 13	1:30 a.m.	NBA Tonight Cassidy Hubbarth, Amin Elhassan	ESPN2
	3 p.m.	NBA Countdown presented by Straight Talk Wireless Sage Steele, Jalen Rose, Doug Collins	ABC
	3:30 p.m.	Cleveland Cavaliers  at Los Angeles Clippers presented by BBVA Mike Breen, Hubie Brown, Heather Cox Radio: Kevin Calabro, P.J. Carlesimo	ABC, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio

 

 

More information on the ESPN networks’ NBA coverage is available online along with all of the latest NBA headlines at:

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/nba

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NBAonESPN

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Networks Focus On Conference Rivalries In This Week’s NBA Coverage

Courtesy: ESPN

The ESPN networks have another busy week of basketball for this week. And it all begins this afternoon on ESPN.

ESPN and its family of networks have another week of extensive NBA coverage for fans this week. It all begins this afternoon on ESPN with another new episode of The Jump. Host Rachel Nichols will have all of the latest NBA headlines. She will be joined by Tracy McGrady and Zach Lowe for insight and commentary into each headline. That is at 3pm ET on ESPN. Doris Burke, Jalen Rose, and Chauncey Billups pick things up at 7:30pm ET on ESPN’s NBA Countdown charged by Mountain Dew. The half-hour pre-game show will come ahead of tonight’s Eastern Conference match between the Wizards and Bulls. Chicago is in last place in the Eastern Conference’s playoff race while Washington is currently out of the hunt for a spot in the post season. So both teams will be playing hard albeit for different reasons. The Spurs and Kings round out the days’ coverage in the late game. Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 10:30pm ET on ESPN. Mark Jones and Mark Jackson will have the call for the game. Sacramento is well out of the playoff race. San Antonio on the other hand currently sits second in the Western Conference behind Golden State, which currently leads the conference at 50 – 5 so far on the season.

The ESPN networks’ NBA Coverage continues Thursday night on ESPN Radio as the Thunder host the Warriors in another Western Conference matchup with major playoff implications. Oklahoma City currently sits third in the Western Conference at 40 – 16, which is well back from the conference and league–leading Warriors (50 – 5). Rachel Nichols will have a preview of Thursday night’s game on Thursday afternoon’s edition of The Jump. Raja Bell and Zach Lowe will join Nichols for the 3:30pm ET broadcast on ESPN.

ESPN’s NBA coverage returns to television Friday evening in a double header schedule. First up on the schedule is an Eastern Conference matchup between the Bulls and Hawks. Both teams will be playing for their playoff lives in Friday night’s game. Atlanta currently sits sixth overall in the Eastern Conference, two games back from the conference-leading Cavaliers. Chicago meanwhile sits last in the conference’s playoff race eleven games back from Cleveland. Mark Jones will have the call for the game. He will be joined by Doris Burke for additional commentary. Later Friday night the Grizzlies and Lakers face off in the night’s Western Conference showdown. The Lakers (11 – 47) are at the bottom of the Western conference and completely out of the playoff picture. Memphis is still in the playoff picture, sitting fifth in the conference fourteen and a half games back from Golden State. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 10:30pm ET on ESPN. Dave Pash will have the call for the game. He will be joined by Jon Barry for additional commentary. Sage Steele, Jalen Rose, and Doug Collins will lead off the evening on ESPN’s NBA Countdown at 7:30pm ET. Earlier in the afternoon Rachel Nichols, Raja Bell, and Zach Lowe will preview both of the evening’s games on The Jump. That will be at 3:30pm ET on ESPN.

Golden State and Oklahoma round out the week’s NBA coverage on the ESPN networks Saturday on NBA Primetime on ABC. The game will be simulcast on ABC and ESPN Radio with tipoff scheduled for 8:30pm ET on ABC. Mike Breen will have the call for Saturday night’s game on television. On the radio side Kevin Calabro will have the call. Breen will be joined on ABC by Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson and reporter Lisa Salters. PJ Carlesimo will join Kevin Calabro on ESPN Radio’s broadcast of Saturday night’s game.  Sage Steel, Jalen Rose, and Doug Collins will preview the game on NBA Countdown at 8 pm ET live on ABC.  The complete schedule for this week’s NBA coverage across the ESPN networks is noted below.

Date

Time (ET)

Telecast/Commentators

Network (s)

Wed, Feb 24	3:30 p.m.	The Jump presented by State FarmRachel Nichols, Tracy McGrady, Zach Lowe	ESPN
	7:30 p.m.	NBA Countdown charged by Mountain DewDoris Burke, Jalen Rose, Chauncey Billups	ESPN
	8 p.m.	Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls presented by State FarmMike Breen, Jon Barry	ESPN
	10:30 p.m.	San Antonio Spurs at Sacramento Kings presented by State FarmMark Jones, Mark Jackson	ESPN
Thu, Feb 25	1 a.m.	NBA TonightCassidy Hubbarth, Brad Daugherty	ESPN2
	3:30 p.m.	The Jump presented by State FarmRachel Nichols, Raja Bell, Zach Lowe	ESPN
	7:30 p.m.	Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City ThunderRadio: Kevin Calabro & PJ Carlesimo	ESPN Radio
Fri, Feb 26	1 a.m.	NBA TonightCassidy Hubbarth, Bruce Bowen	ESPN2
	3:30 p.m.	The Jump presented by State FarmRachel Nichols, Raja Bell, Zach Lowe	ESPN
	7:30 p.m.	NBA CountdownSage Steele, Jalen Rose, Doug Collins	ESPN
	8 p.m.	Chicago Bulls at Atlanta Hawks presented by State FarmMark Jones, Doris Burke	ESPN
	10:30 p.m.	Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers presented by State FarmDave Pasch, Jon Barry	ESPN
Sat, Feb 27	1 a.m.	NBA TonightCassidy Hubbarth, Jorge Sedano	ESPN2
	8 p.m.	NBA CountdownSage Steele, Jalen Rose, Doug Collins	ABC
	8:30 p.m.	Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder presented by La QuintaMike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Lisa Salters Radio: Kevin Calabro, P.J. Carlesimo

 

More information on this week’s NBA coverage across the ESPN networks is available online now along with all of the latest NBA headlines at:

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/nba

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NBAonESPN

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Opens Its 2015 NBA Regular Season Coverage Wednesday Night

Courtesy: ESPN

The day is officially here. The 2015 – 2016 NBA regular season gets under way tonight. And beginning Wednesday, October 28th, ESPN joins in with full coverage that will take audiences straight through this weekend.

ESPN begins its coverage of the 2015 – 2016 NBA regular season Wednesday night with a Western Conference double-header. First up for the night is a matchup between the Thunder and Spurs live from Oklahoma City beginning at 8pm ET. Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers follow at 10pm ET as they host Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Coverage of that game begins at 10pm ET. Mike Tirico will have the call for that game. He will be joined in the booth by analyst Mark Jackson and reporter J.A. Adande. the T-Wolves will be playing with heavy hearts but a real purpose Wednesday night following the death of coach Flip Saunders Sunday at the age of 60. Over the course of seventeen seasons in the NBA, Saunders accrued a record of 654 – 592. This includes his time coaching in Detroit and Washington.

Ahead of Wednesday night’s double-header, ESPN will air a special one-hour edition of NBA Countdown beginning at 7pm ET. Sage Steele will anchor the broadcast and will be joined at the desk by analysts Jalen Rose and Doug Collins. As an added bonus, ESPN will broadcast rapper Missy Elliot’s new single ‘WTF (Where They From)’ during its broadcast of NBA Countdown. The song features famed performer/producer Pharrell Williams.

ESPN’s NBA coverage won’t be limited to just ESPN as it joins in all the basketball celebrations. Over on ESPN2 NBA Coast to Coast–ESPN’s NBA whiparound show–will have coverage of all of the action around the league from 8pm – 11pm ET. Cassidy Hubarth will anchor and will be joined by Ryen Rusillo, analysts Tim Legler and P.J. Carlesimo, and ESPN NBA Insider Chris Broussard. On Thursday morning, Cassidy Hubarth and P.J. Carlesimo will have even more coverage on NBA Tonight at 1:30am. That broadcast will be on ESPN2 as well.

After things wind down Thursday morning, ESPN will continue its NBA coverage Friday night with yet another double-header. First up Friday is an Eastern Conference matchup that sees LeBron James and the Cavs hosting James’ former teammate Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat at 7pm ET. Mike Breen will have the call for that game. He will be joined in the booth by Doris Burke for additional commentary. Stephen A. Smith will also be on hand for a special edition of SportsCenter on the Road beginning at 6pm ET. In the night’s second game, James Harden and the Houston Rockets renew their rivalry with the Golden State Warriors when the defending NBA Champions come to town. Tipoff for that game is set for 9:30pm ET. Ryan Ruocco will have the call for the game. He will be joined in the booth by Jeff Van Gundy and Chris Broussard for additional commentary. Both games will be live on ESPN. NBA Tonight will follow live at 2am ET with Cassidy Hubarth and Antonio Davis for a full wrap up of the night’s games and highlights on ESPN2. For those that prefer it, the full schedule for this week’s NBA coverage is included below.

More information on ESPN’s coverage of the NBA is available online now along with all of the latest NBA headlines at:

Website: http://espn.go.com/nba

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NBAonESPN

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

NBA Finals Game Three Tips Off AT 9pm Tonight On ABC

Courtesy: ESPN

The 2014 NBA Finals are “heating up” after Miami evened its series against the San Antonio Spurs Sunday. The Heat defeated the Spurs Sunday 98-96, tying the series at one game each. Game three will be broadcast exclusively on ABC tonight at 9pm ET. Mike Breen will have the call for tonight’s game. He will be joined by analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. Reporter Doris Burke and officiating analyst Steve Javie will also be on hand for commentary.

Broadcast of tonight’s Game Three will be preceded by NBA Countdown live from the American Airlines Arena in Miami at 8:30pm ET. Sage Steel will anchor the broadcast and will be joined by analysts Bill Simmons, Jalen Rose, and Doug Collins.

Along with its broadcast on ABC, tonight’s broadcast of Game Three will be simulcast on ESPN Radio affiliates nationwide. Kevin Calabro will have the call. He will be joined by analyst Hubie Brown and reporter Marc Stein for additional insight throughout the game. ESPN Radio’s pre-game coverage begins at 8pm ET. Marc Kestecher and analyst Jon Barry will contribute to that broadcast. ESPN Deportes will carry tonight’s broadcast of Game Three as well. Alvaro Martin and Carlos Morales will have commentary for ESPN Deportes. .

Game Four of the 2014 NBA finals will be simulcast on ABC, ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes Thursday, June 12^th at 9pm ET. Game Five is scheduled for Sunday, June 15^th at 8pm ET. Both games will be preceded by NBA Countdown half an hour before tipoff.

All games of the NBA Finals broadcast on ABC are also available online through most internet and mobile internet platforms including: Xbox, Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV via WatchESPN. There are also special simulcasts on ESPN3.

More information on coverage of the 2014 NBA Finals is available online at http://www.facebook.com/NBAonESPN and http://espn.go.com/nba. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Responds To Johnson’s Departure

Courtesy: ESPN

NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson shocked the sports world this week when he announced that he had made the decision to part ways with ESPN.  He released a statement explinaing that his decision was based on his feeling that he was unable to balance his commitment to ESPN and everything else going on in his life.  He added in his statement that despite his departure, the split was amicable on both sides.  His official statement reads as follows:

“I love ESPN.  Unfortunately, due to the nature of my schedule and other commitments, I don’t feel confident that I can continue to devote the time needed to thrive in my role. I will always feel a strong connection to the ESPN family and I enjoyed working with them very much. I’d like to thank John Skipper, John Wildhack, Mark Gross, Kim Belton, Amina Hussein, Mark Summer, Adam Hertzog, Bob Rauscher, Stuart Scott, Mike Wilbon, Jon Barry, Jalen Rose, Bill Simmons, Chris Broussard and the many others at ESPN for the wonderful opportunity to talk about the game I love. They are the best in the business. “

John Wildhack, ESPN Executive VP of Production released a statement Thursday offering praise for Johnson and noting that the network has already started weighing its options for a commentator for the upcoming NBA season.  Wildhack noted in his statement:  Earvin “Magic” Johnson informed us today that he’ll no longer be part of our NBA coverage due to his other commitments. We appreciate Magic’s contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors. We are in the process of determining our NBA commentator roles for the upcoming season.

Jonson’s announcement comes only days after ESPN announced the signing of fellow NBA veteran Doug Collins to help cover its NBA broadcasts during the 2013-2014 season.  Collins is just the latest acquisition for ESPN’s NBA coverage.  A number of other veterans have already been signed, too.  More on this and other stories is available online at http://www.facebook.com/NBAonESPN and http://espn.com/nba.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.