Courtesy: ESPN
ESPN and the ESPN networks have another busy week of basketball ahead of them this week.
Officials with ESPN announced today the networks’ NBA broadcast schedule. This week’s schedule kicks off tonight with a cross conference showdown between the Rockets and the Cavaliers. LeBron James and the Cavaliers play host tonight to James Harden and the Houston Rockets in the Quicken Loans Arena. The game will air live on ESPN Radio with Marc Kestecher on the call. He will be joined by Jon Barry for additional commentary. Tipoff is scheduled for 7pm ET. Cleveland has already clinched the Central Division in the East, and also sits atop the conference, three games ahead of second place Toronto. A win tonight for Cleveland will hold that lead while a loss will allow the Raptors to close that gap just a little bit more. Tonight’s game means just as much for Houston. That is because the Rockets currently sit at the bottom of the Western Conference’s playoff ladder. A win could potentially keep them in the hunt for the seventh spot on the ladder. That spot is currently held by the Jazz.
After taking a couple of days off, the action picks back up Friday with a double-header. Up first Friday night is yet another matchup with huge playoff implications as the Cavs are on the road against the Hawks. Atlanta currently sits third in the East eight games back from Cleveland. It is sure to be an even matchup for both teams. Atlanta is 24 – 13 at home so far this season while Cleveland is 22 – 15 on the road. Mark Jones will have the call for the game. He will be joined by Hall of Famer and analyst Hubie Brown for additional commentary. Reporter Chris Broussard will be courtside for all of the game’s latest headlines interviews, and more. The game will air live at 8pm ET on ESPN.
Friday’s second game will see Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors host Isiah Thomas and the Boston Celtics as the Warriors’ quest for history continues. Boston currently sits fifth in the East while Golden State leads the West. The Warriors have also already clinched the Pacific division in the West. Mike Tirico will have the call for the game, which is scheduled for a 10:30pm ET tipoff on ESPN. He will be joined by Jon Barry for additional commentary. Reporter J.A. Adande will be courtside throughout the game for all of the game’s latest headlines and interviews.
Before the first ball goes in the air Friday night Sage Steel, Jalen Rose, and Chauncey Billups will have a preview of the night’s games on NBA Countdown charged by Mountain Dew at 7:30pm ET on ESPN.
Oklahoma City and Houston round out the week’s NBA coverage across the ESPN networks. The Thunder and Rockets will face off live Sunday afternoon on NBA Sunday Showcase presented by BBVA. The game will air live on ABC and ESPN Radio beginning at 3:30pm ET. Mike Breen will have the call for Sunday afternoon’s game. He will be joined by Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson for additional commentary. Reporter Lisa Salters will be courtside for al of the latest in-game news and interviews. Kevin Calabro and Jon Barry will cover the game for ESPN Radio. Sage Steel, Jalen Rose, and Chauncey Billups will preview Sunday’s game on NBA Countdown presented by Straight Talk Wireless.
More information on the ESPN networks’ coverage of the NBA 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 in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com. 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.
philspicks 