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2015 NBA Playoffs: ABC & ESPN Combine to Televise First Five Games This Weekend
· Breen, Van Gundy, Jackson, Salters to Call Two Games in Less Than 24 Hours
· LeBron James, Stephen Curry, James Harden Among the NBA's Biggest Superstars in Action
· ESPN NBA Playoff Preview Show on Friday
The 2015 NBA Playoffs will tip off on ABC and ESPN with the first five games of the postseason airing on the networks, beginning Saturday, April 18. The team of Mike Breen, analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson and reporter Lisa Salters will call two ABC broadcasts in less than 24 hours. On Saturday, the crew will provide commentary for the Golden State Warriors (1) and New Orleans Pelicans (8) Game 1 matchup at 3:30 p.m. ET. The team will then fly to Cleveland as the Cavaliers (2) open their first round series against the Boston Celtics (7) on Sunday, April 19, at 3 p.m. ABC broadcasts are also available on ESPN3.
ESPN NBA Playoffs Triple-header Saturday
ESPN will also televise an NBA Playoffs-opening triple-header on Saturday, April 18, beginning at 12:30 p.m. when the Washington Wizards (5) visit the Toronto Raptors (4). Mark Jones, analyst Doris Burke and reporter J.A. Adande will provide commentary. A prime-time doubleheader follows, beginning at 7 p.m. when the Chicago Bulls (3) host the Milwaukee Bucks (6) with Dave Pasch, analyst Jon Barry and reporter Israel Gutierrez on the call. At 9:30 p.m., the Houston Rockets (2) host the Dallas Mavericks (7) with Mike Tirico, Basketball Hall of Famer and analyst Hubie Brown and reporter Heather Cox. All ESPN telecasts are also available via WatchESPN.
NBA Playoff Preview
ESPN will televise a special NBA Playoff Preview show on Friday, April 17, at 10 p.m. hosted by the NBA Countdown crew - Sage Steele, Jalen Rose and Doug Collins. The telecast will include an interview with Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul, conducted by Michael Wilbon. Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green will also appear.
NBA Countdown
Additionally, the ABC NBA Countdown crew will pull double-duty this weekend, first on Saturday at 3 p.m. as Sage Steele hosts with analyst Jalen Rose and Doug Collins. The crew returns Sunday at 2:30 p.m. leading into Cavaliers-Celtics Game 1.
Reminder: ESPN is the exclusive home to the 2015 NBA Western Conference Finals and ABC will exclusively broadcast the NBA Finals.
NBA Playoffs early schedule on ABC & ESPN
Date Time (ET) Telecast Commentators Network (s)
Fri., Apr. 17 10 p.m. NBA Playoff Preview Sage Steele, Jalen Rose, Doug Collins ESPN, WatchESPN
Sat., Apr. 18 12:30 p.m. Game 1: Washington Wizards (5) at Toronto Raptors (4) Mark Jones, Doris Burke, ESPN, WatchESPN
3 p.m. NBA Countdown Sage Steele, Jalen Rose, Doug Collins ABC, ESPN3
3:30 p.m. Game 1: New Orleans Pelicans (8) at Golden State Warriors (1) Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Lisa Salters ABC, ESPN Radio, ESPN3
7 p.m. Game 1: Milwaukee Bucks (6) at Chicago Bulls (3) Dave Pasch, Jon Barry, Israel Gutierrez ESPN, WatchESPN
9:30 p.m. Game 1: Dallas Mavericks (7) at Houston Rockets (2) Mike Tirico, Hubie Brown, Heather Cox ESPN, WatchESPN
Sun., Apr. 19 2:30 p.m. NBA Countdown Sage Steele, Jalen Rose, Doug Collins ABC, ESPN3
3 p.m. Game 1: Boston Celtics (7) at Cleveland Cavaliers (2) Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Lisa Salters ABC, ESPN Radio, ESPN3
Fri., Apr. 24 7 p.m. Game 3: Houston Rockets (2) at Dallas Mavericks (7) TBD ESPN, WatchESPN
8 p.m. Game 3: Toronto Raptors (4) at Washington Wizards (5) TBD ESPN2, WatchESPN
9:30 p.m. Game 3: Los Angeles Clippers (3) at San Antonio Spurs (6) TBD ESPN, WatchESPN
Sat., Apr. 25 8 p.m. Game 4: Golden State Warriors (1) at New Orleans Pelicans (8) TBD ESPN, ESPN Radio, WatchESPN
10:30 p.m. Game 3: Memphis Grizzlies (5) at Portland Trail Blazers (4) TBD ESPN, WatchESPN
Sun., Apr. 26 12:30 p.m. NBA Countdown Sage Steele, Jalen Rose, Doug Collins ABC, ESPN3
1 p.m. Game 4: Cleveland Cavaliers (2) at Boston Celtics (7) ABC, ESPN3
3:30 p.m. Game 4: Los Angeles Clippers (3) at San Antonio Spurs (6) TBD ABC, ESPN3
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