NBA TV’s Finals Coverage Gets Bang from TNT

NBA TV announced its plans for coverage of the 2009 NBA Finals, with an assist from TNT. The studio teams from the two networks will split pregame and postgame duties on NBA TV, with NBA TV’s Fan Night studio team of Ahmad Rashad, Chris Webber, and Gary Payton handling games one, two, six (if necessary), and seven (if necessary), while Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith from TNT’s Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai handle games three, four, and five (if necessary).

Hosts Rick Kamla and Andre Aldridge, analysts Steve Smith and Eric Snow, writer/reporter David Aldridge, and NBA.com correspondents Kyle Montgomery and Melanie Collins will also contribute to NBA TV’s Finals coverage.

NBA TV’s studio coverage will begin 30 minutes prior to the start of ABC’s coverage with the AutoTrader.com Pregame show and conclude with an hour-long studio show following each game.

The league’s cable network is also offering a free preview to cable and satellite-TV providers June 2-18.