Notes from NBA TV’s Coverage of the NBA Playoffs – Monday, April 30, 2012: Indiana Ties Up Orlando 93-78
Yeah, Indiana flexed last night…
This is a series that could be very interesting. I don’t think many are paying attention because of Dwight Howard’s absence, but despite last night’s blowout, I see this series shaping up to be a good one.
NBA TV’s coverage of the 2012 NBA Playoffs continues Tuesday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET featuring the Boston Celtics @ Atlanta Hawks (Game 2).
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NBA GameTime presented by AutoTrader.com
Vince Cellini, Brent Barry and Dennis Scott
Barry on how the Indiana Pacers can adjust in Game 2: “They have to get better guard production. In terms of their offense, they have to score the ball a little better from that guard position to get some points.”
Barry on Game 1 of the Grizzlies/Clippers series: “I still like Memphis. They still have moxy. It was just a historical game for the Clippers and it was really fun to watch them come back and celebrate on the floor.”
Scott on the Brooklyn Nets making a splash in their new city: “I think the Nets can make a splash eventually but it all starts with: Can you entice Deron Williams to stay? After that you have to wait and see where the ball bounces.”
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Orlando Magic (78) @ Indiana Pacers (93) –Series tied 1-1
Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Steve Smith (analyst) and Stephanie Ready (reporter)
Smith on Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu: “He’s so good. When you start talking about Hedo Turkoglu… at his size…and being able to play multiple positions and handle the basketball, he looks like a two guard but he’s 6’10 doing this.”
Smith on Pacers power forward David West: “This coaching staff raves about his leadership and his playoff experience. He is a no-nonsense guy. He will have these guys understanding that you have to play hard. He rebounds the right way and plays the right way…winning basketball.”
NBA TV Reporter Stephanie Ready interviews NBA Commissioner David Stern during the first quarter
Commissioner Stern on the injuries of key players being lockout related: “We usually have about five of those a year. We had two in one day and it is very sad, but we don’t believe it is lockout related.”
Commissioner Stern on Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo being suspended for bumping an official: “If you bump an official, you get suspended. The only question becomes is it one or two [games]. We didn’t think it was so severe so it was just one.”
Smith on the Orlando Magic: “This is a sense of relief from all the drama that they have had [this season]. They are just playing basketball right now.”
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Sprint Halftime Report
Cellini, Barry, Scott
Scott on Magic forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis scoring 14 points in the first half: “People forget he played meaningful minutes in ‘08 with a Championship team in the Celtics. I’m very impressed with Big Baby’s play.”
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Smith on Magic forward Glen Davis’ intensity and emotion in Game 2: “He’s locked in. He was having an out-of-body experience [during his half-time interview]. His eyes, his body language, he’s ready to go.”
Smith on Indiana Pacers guard Paul George: “I got to see him play in Summer league in his first year with the Pacers, I was so impressed. He’s about 6’9, can handle the basketball, can shoot it, can defend and is athletic. He’ll be an All-Star in a couple of years…maybe next year.”
NBA TV reporter Stephanie Ready interviews Pacers forward David West after the game
West on the difference between Game 1 and Game 2: “I thought we were able to handle the run they made late in the first quarter. We made some adjustments in the third quarter. We were just aggressive. I thought our aggressiveness was the difference.”
West on the defensive end getting stops: “I thought we were really active with our hands. We were helping each other. They are a good basketball team and they are going to make some threes. Because of that we know we might give up some drives but I thought our effort was there consistently.”
West on the Pacers weakness and lack of a “go-to guy”: “More than anything we just have to be aggressive. We have a bunch of guys that make plays. In the fourth quarter we just have to do that.”
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NBA GameTime presented by Hyundai
Cellini, Barry, Scott
Barry on the Indiana Pacers winning Game 2: “I’m just impressed they broke through. They won a lot of games during their regular season for a reason. Finally, in the 2012 NBA Playoffs, [head coach] Frank Vogel has this Pacers team on track.”
Scott on the Pacers/Magic series being tied at 1-1: “Every road team’s main objective during the playoffs is to steal a win. No matter if it is the first game or the last game. The rest of the games are based on how you lose. Orlando was in this game for three quarters. The Magic are on that plane going back to Orlando feeling good about themselves.”
Barry on Orlando lacking Dwight Howard’s presence: “If Indiana latches on to what they did in the second half [of Game 2], it is just going to be too difficult with the absence of Dwight Howard for them [Magic] to fill all of what they have to do offensively and defensively against this particular team.”
Barry on Knicks forward Amare’ Stoudemire cutting his hand in a postgame incident: “It is playoff basketball. We are seeing the frustration on the court with the coaches; you see it with players and officials. You have got to be able to control that part of the game and it is very difficult to do. You want your players to be invested, you want them to be all in. At playoffs time every player is. You can only hope that he is okay so he can play in the next game.”
Paul was really able to comeback and defend better these last two games. He really has trouble defending shooters coming off of screens. I think once he puts on some weight this off season it’ll really help his game.