NBA TV to Provide Expansive Coverage Throughout the 2018 NBA Finals, Highlighted By Onsite Pre- and Postgame Coverage & Original Programming Wednesday, May 30, 2018 Share:
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Network's Studio Programming to Feature Integration with TNT's Inside the NBA
Analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal Along with
Kevin McHale, Chris Webber, Grant Hill and Isiah Thomas
NBA TV -- the ultimate destination for fans seeking the most in-depth highlights, news and analysis throughout the 2018 NBA Finals presented by YouTubeTV -- will feature expansive programming surrounding the historic matchup between the defending champion Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Throughout the series, the network will feature 90-minute Live At The Finals presented by YouTubeTV pregame shows, newly-formatted postgame coverage and a full slate of original programming nightly throughout the series. The network will provide blanket coverage throughout the historic matchup, including NBA TV's signature NBA GameTime studio show offering complete, live coverage on non-game days from both game sites throughout the series.
On-site pre- and postgame studio coverage will once again feature a marquee lineup of commentators including integration with TNT's Inside the NBA analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O'Neal, pairing at times with Kevin McHale, Chris Webber, Grant Hill, Isiah Thomas, Steve Smith, Dennis Scott and Brent Barry.
NBA TVs pregame coverage - hosted by Matt Winer, Casey Stern and Jared Greenberg - will include two locations on site from both venues, one from the court and another at various points throughout the arena. Kristen Ledlow and David Aldridge will report throughout the series.
Along with recapping the nights action, the networks two-hour postgame coverage will include a new 30-minute final portion of Live at The Finals, with Greenberg, NBA TV reporters and guests providing highlights, news and analysis surrounding the leading storylines after the game.
NBA TV's Live At The Finals analyst schedule includes:
Games 1 & 2 - Kenny Smith, Grant Hill and Isiah Thomas
Games 3 & 4 - Charles Barkley, Chris Webber and Hill
Game 5 (if nec.) - Shaquille ONeal, Steve Smith and Hill
Game 6 (if nec.) - Brent Barry, ONeal and Hill
Game 7 (if nec.) - Kevin McHale, Thomas and Smith
The Starters presented by Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey will have an on-site presence throughout The Finals with new episodes airing Monday-Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET. Leigh Ellis (Games 1, 2, 6 and 7) and Trey Kerby (Games 3, 4 and 5) will provide the latest insight and commentary from each of those respective games. NBA Finals-focused episodes of NBA Inside Stuff, hosted by Hill and Ledlow, will premiere each Saturday in June at 6:30 p.m.
Prior to the series, NBA TV will look ahead to the historic fourth meeting between the Cavaliers and Warriors with a special 2018 NBA Finals Preview Show on Wednesday, May 30, at 8 p.m. ET, with Thomas, Scott and Winer.
NBA Digital will provide comprehensive, multiplatform coverage of The Finals, giving fans access to the latest news, video highlights and social media integration via NBA.com, the league's signature NBA App and originally produced content across NBA TVs social media handles.
Additional NBA TV original programming and cross-platform content highlights for The Finals will include:
NBA TV will premiere a special Open Court: Pioneers Edition show tonight, Wednesday, May 30, at 9 p.m. ET. The wide-ranging conversation will cover the early days of the NBA, the multigenerational growth of the league, and the brilliant shooting and athleticism exhibited in today's game.
Hosted by Matt Winer, the latest installment of the critically-acclaimed show will feature a roundtable discussion with five pioneers - Jerry Colangelo, Wayne Embry, Arn Tellem, Isiah Thomas and Rod Thorn - who helped lay the groundwork for the league and shape today's NBA.
NBA TV will premiere Open Court: Moments on Tuesday, June 5, at 8 p.m. The one-hour roundtable show - hosted by Ernie Johnson - will feature Charles Barkley, Shaquille ONeal, Thomas, Kevin McHale and Dennis Scott recounting some of the best and worst moments of their careers.
Top moments revisited during the show will include Thomas hitting a Mothers Day game-winning shot in 1987 on the same day he fulfilled a promise to his mother to earn his diploma from Indiana University, Barkley scoring 44 points in the deciding WCF Game 7 in 1993 and ONeal scoring a career-high 61 points on his 28th birthday in 2000.
NBA Finals Film Room presented by YouTubeTV, featuring former coaches and players breaking down in-game strategies, play calls, trends and game action in real time as they watch every game, will return for the fourth straight NBA Finals.
The two-hour episodes will premiere at 9 p.m. ET on the day following each Finals game.
Former Cleveland Cavaliers GM David Griffin, Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, former coach and league executive Stu Jackson, veteran player and coach Derek Fisher, NBA coaching veteran Mike Fratello, and former players Greg Anthony and Brendan Haywood, will join host Rick Kamla to analyze the series.
The network will premiere a special NBA TV Finals Film Room: 30th Anniversary of Lakers vs. Pistons on Sunday, June 10, at 9 p.m.
The two-hour episode will feature Detroits Isiah Thomas and John Salley, along with LAs James Worthy breaking down plays and trends from the memorable 1988 series.
The Shaqtin' A Fool presented by Hotels.com 2017-2018 Season Finale Part 2 will include the unveiling of this season's Shaqtin' MVP and count down the rest of the Top Shaqtin' plays from the NBA season.
This season's Shaqtin' MVP finalists - Joe
