Tuesday, August 11, 2020

2020 NBA Playoffs: Play-in & Conference Quarterfinals TV Schedule & Announcers

NBA Playoffs (2018 - Pres)
The NBA Playoffs logo. | Mandatory photo credit: SportsLogos.net

2020 NBA Playoffs to Begin on Saturday, Aug. 15

Play-in games to be televised by either ABC or ESPN

Conference Quarterfinals to be split between ABC, ESPN, TNT & NBATV

The 2020 NBA Playoffs will officially kick off on Saturday, August 15th. For the first-time ever, a play-in series will be introduced to determine the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.

The Western Conference play-in series pits the No. 8 seed, Portland Trail Blazers, led by All-Star point guard Damian Lillard taking on the No. 9 seed, Memphis Grizzlies, led by rookie sensation Ja Morant.

In order to qualify the 2020 NBA Playoffs, the No. 8 seed Trail Blazers must win 1 game (double elimination of Memphis). For the No. 9 seed Grizzlies though, they must win 2 games (single elimination of Portland). Portland will be given a de facto 1-0 series lead prior to the play-in series.

The first game will be played on Saturday, August 15th at 2:30 PM ET on ABC with the Trail Blazers hosting the Grizzlies. If necessary, a second game will be played on Sunday, August 16th at 4:30 PM ET on ESPN with the Grizzlies hosting the Trail Blazers. Play-by-play commentator Mike Breen, analyst Mark Jackson and sideline reporter Lisa Salters will be on the call for the game or game(s).

The Conference Quarterfinals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs begin Monday, August 17th with games all day and night!

ESPN will televise all four Game 1 matchups on Monday. At 1:30 PM ET, Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz take on Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets. At 4:00 PM ET, Caris LeVert and the Brooklyn Nets take on Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors. At 6:30 PM ET, Tobias Harris and the Philadelphia 76ers take on Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics. Finally at 9:00 PM ET, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks take on Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The following day, Tuesday, August 18th, TNT will televise the remaining Game 1 matchups. At 1:30 PM ET, Markelle Fultz and the Orlando Magic take on Khris Middleton and the Milwaukee Bucks. At 4:00 PM ET, T.J. Warren and the Indiana Pacers take on Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. At 6:30 PM ET, Chris Paul and the Oklahoma City Thunder take on James Harden and the Houston Rockets. At 9:00 PM ET, C.J. McCollum and the Portland Trail Blazers or Kyle Anderson and the Memphis Grizzlies take on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

NBATV begins their playoff coverage on Wednesday, August 19th at 1:30 PM ET with Game 2 of the Nets-Raptors series. NBA TV will televise up to nine playoff games during the first round.

ABC begins their playoff coverage on Saturday, August 22nd at 8:30 PM ET with Game 3 of the Lakers-8th seed series. The following day, Sunday, August 23rd, ABC will televise a playoff doubleheader. Game 4 of Celtics vs. 76ers series at 1:00 PM ET followed by Game 4 of the Clippers vs. Mavericks series at 3:30 PM ET.

Each series will be spread out to be contested every other day.

Prior to ESPN's broadcast of Game 2 of the Trail Blazers/Grizzlies vs. Lakers series on Thursday, August 20th, ESPN will exclusively televise the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery at 8:30 PM ET.

In addition, all games will be played behind closed doors at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Florida.

The pages for the Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals and the 2020 NBA Finals will go live on my blog later on this summer (and into the fall).

NOTE: On August 26, the Milwaukee Bucks boycotted their scheduled Game 5 first round series vs. the Magic. Subsequent to that, the Rockets-Thunder and Lakers-Trail Blazers games (other 2 games scheduled for this day) were postponed as well. On August 27, the NBA players voted to continue the season and finish the playoffs.

All NBA logos on this page (article) are courtesy of SportsLogos.net

Here's the 2020 NBA Playoffs: Play-in & Conference Quarterfinals page:

Play-in series:
(8) Portland Trail Blazers vs. (9) Memphis Grizzlies (Orlando) - Portland wins series, 2-0 (de facto)
Portland Trail Blazers (2018 - Pres)Memphis Grizzlies (2019 - Pres)
. Game 1 - Saturday, August 15 - Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers
ABC, 2:30 PM ET: Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Lisa Salters (Sideline reporter).

Conference Quarterfinals:
NBA Eastern Conference (2018 - Pres)
. (1) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (8) Orlando Magic (Orlando) -- Milwaukee win series, 4-1 (MIL advances)
Orlando Magic (2011 - Pres)
Game 1 - Tuesday, August 18 - Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks
TNT, 1:30 PM ET: Joel Meyers, Greg Anthony, Jared Greenberg (Sideline reporter).

Game 2 - Thursday, August 20 - Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks
ESPN, 6:00 PM ET: Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews (Sideline reporter).

Game 3 - Saturday, August 22 - Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic
TNT, 1:00 PM ET: Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Rebecca Haarlow (Sideline reporter).

Game 4 - Monday, August 24 - Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic
NBA TV, 1:30 PM ET: Joel Meyers, Greg Anthony, Rebecca Haarlow (Sideline reporter).

Game 5 - Saturday, August 29 - Orlando Magic vs. Milwaukee Bucks
ESPN, 3:30 PM ET: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Malika Andrews (Sideline reporter).

. (2) Toronto Raptors vs. (7) Brooklyn Nets (Orlando) -- Toronto wins series, 4-0 (TOR advances)
Toronto Raptors (2016 - Pres)Brooklyn Nets (2013 - Pres)
Game 1 - Monday, August 17 - Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
ESPN, 4:00 PM ET: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth (Sideline reporter).

Game 2 - Wednesday, August 19 - Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors
NBA TV, 1:30 PM ET: Joel Meyers, Greg Anthony, Stephanie Ready (Sideline reporter).

Game 3 - Friday, August 21 - Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets
NBA TV, 1:30 PM ET: Joel Meyers, Greg Anthony, Rebecca Haarlow (Sideline reporter).

Game 4 - Sunday, August 23 - Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets
TNT, 6:30 PM ET: Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Stephanie Ready (Sideline reporter).

. (3) Boston Celtics vs. (6) Philadelphia 76ers (Orlando) - Boston wins series, 4-0 (BOS advances)
Boston Celtics (1997 - Pres)
Game 1 - Monday, August 17 - Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
ESPN, 6:30 PM ET: Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews (Sideline reporter).

Game 2 - Wednesday, August 19 - Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
TNT, 6:30 PM ET: Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Stephanie Ready (Sideline reporter).

Game 3 - Friday, August 21 - Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
TNT, 6:30 PM ET: Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Rebecca Haarlow (Sideline reporter).

Game 4 - Sunday, August 23 - Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
ABC, 1:00 PM ET: Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews (Sideline reporter).

. (4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Miami Heat (Orlando) - Miami wins series, 4-0 (MIA advances)
Indiana Pacers (2018 - Pres)Miami Heat (2000 - Pres)
Game 1 - Tuesday, August 18 - Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers
TNT, 4:00 PM ET: Bob Fitzgerald, Jim Jackson, Stephanie Ready (Sideline reporter).

Game 2 - Thursday, August 20 - Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers
ESPN, 1:00 PM ET: Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews (Sideline reporter).

Game 3 - Saturday, August 22 - Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat
TNT, 3:30 PM ET: Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg (Sideline reporter).

Game 4 - Monday, August 24 - Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat
TNT, 6:30 PM ET: Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Rebecca Haarlow (Sideline reporter).

NBA Western Conference (2018 - Pres)
. (1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) Portland Trail Blazers (Orlando) -- Los Angeles Lakers win series, 4-1 (LAL advances)
Los Angeles Lakers (2002 - Pres)Portland Trail Blazers (2018 - Pres)
. Game 1 - Tuesday, August 18 - Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
TNT, 9:00 PM ET: Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg (Sideline reporter).

. Game 2 - Thursday, August 20 - Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
ESPN, 9:00 PM ET: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth (Sideline reporter).

. Game 3 - Saturday, August 22 - Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
ABC, 8:30 PM ET: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth (Sideline reporter).

. Game 4 - Monday, August 24 - Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
TNT, 9:00 PM ET: Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg (Sideline reporter).

. Game 5 - Saturday, August 29 - Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
TNT, 9:00 PM ET: Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg (Sideline reporter).

. (2) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks (Orlando) -- Los Angeles Clippers win series, 4-2 (LAC advances)
Los Angeles Clippers (2016 - Pres)Dallas Mavericks (2018 - Pres)
. Game 1 - Monday, August 17 - Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers
ESPN, 9:00 PM ET: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth (Sideline reporter).

. Game 2 - Wednesday, August 19 - Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers
TNT, 9:00 PM ET: Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg (Sideline reporter).

. Game 3 - Friday, August 21 - Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks
TNT, 9:00 PM ET: Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg (Sideline reporter).

. Game 4 - Sunday, August 23 - Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks
ABC, 3:30 PM ET: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth (Sideline reporter).

. Game 5 - Tuesday, August 25 - Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers
TNT, 9:00 PM ET: Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg (Sideline reporter).

. Game 6 - Sunday, August 30 - Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks
ESPN, 3:30 PM ET: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth (Sideline reporter).

. (3) Denver Nuggets vs. (6) Utah Jazz (Orlando) -- Denver wins series, 4-3 (DEN advances)
Denver Nuggets (2019 - Pres)Utah Jazz (2017 - Pres)
. Game 1 - Monday, August 17 - Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets
ESPN, 1:30 PM ET: Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews (Sideline reporter).

. Game 2 - Wednesday, August 19 - Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets
TNT, 4:00 PM ET: Bob Fitzgerald, Jim Jackson, Rebecca Haarlow (Sideline reporter).

. Game 3 - Friday, August 21 - Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz
TNT, 4:00 PM ET: Bob Fitzgerald, Jim Jackson, Stephanie Ready (Sideline reporter).

. Game 4 - Sunday, August 23 - Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz
TNT, 9:00 PM ET: Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg (Sideline reporter).

. Game 5 - Tuesday, August 25 - Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets
TNT, 6:30 PM ET: Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Rebecca Haarlow (Sideline reporter).

. Game 6 - Sunday, August 30 - Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz
TNT, 8:30 PM ET: Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg (Sideline reporter).

. Game 7 - Tuesday, September 1 - Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets
ABC, 8:30 PM ET: Mark Jones, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth (Sideline reporter).

. (4) Houston Rockets vs. (5) Oklahoma City Thunder (Orlando) -- Houston wins series, 4-3 (HOU advances)
Houston Rockets (2020 - Pres)Oklahoma City Thunder (2009 - Pres)
. Game 1 - Tuesday, August 18 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
TNT, 6:30 PM ET: Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Rebecca Haarlow (Sideline reporter).

. Game 2 - Thursday, August 20 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
ESPN, 3:30 PM ET: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth (Sideline reporter).

. Game 3 - Saturday, August 22 - Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
ESPN, 6:00 PM ET: Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews (Sideline reporter).

. Game 4 - Monday, August 24 - Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
TNT, 4:00 PM ET: Bob Fitzgerald, Jim Jackson, Stephanie Ready (Sideline reporter).

. Game 5 - Saturday, August 29 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
TNT, 6:30 PM ET: Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Rebecca Haarlow (Sideline reporter).

. Game 6 - Monday, August 31 - Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
TNT, 9:00 PM ET: Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg (Sideline reporter).

. Game 7 - Wednesday, September 2 - Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
ESPN, 9:00 PM ET: Mark Jones, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth (Sideline reporter).

Play-in series and Conference Quarterfinals Daily Schedule:
Play-in series:
* Saturday, August 15th
Game 1 - Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers - ABC, 2:30 p.m. - Mike Breen, Mark Jackson, Lisa Salters

Conference Quarterfinals:
* Monday, August 17th
Game 1 - Jazz vs. Nuggets - ESPN, 1:30 p.m. - Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews
Game 1 - Nets vs. Raptors - ESPN, 4:00 p.m. - Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth
Game 1 - 76ers vs. Celtics - ESPN, 6:30 p.m. - Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews
Game 1 - Mavericks vs. Clippers - ESPN, 9:00 p.m. - Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth

* Tuesday, August 18th
Game 1 - Magic vs. Bucks - TNT, 1:30 p.m. - Joel Meyers, Greg Anthony, Jared Greenberg
Game 1 - Heat vs. Pacers - TNT, 4:00 p.m. - Bob Fitzgerald, Jim Jackson, Stephanie Ready
Game 1 - Thunder vs. Rockets - TNT, 6:30 p.m. - Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Rebecca Haarlow
Game 1 - Trail Blazers vs. Lakers - TNT, 9:00 p.m. - Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg

* Wednesday, August 19th
Game 2 - Nets vs. Raptors - NBA TV, 1:30 p.m. - Joel Meyers, Greg Anthony, Stephanie Ready
Game 2 - Jazz vs. Nuggets - TNT, 4:00 p.m. - Bob Fitzgerald, Jim Jackson, Rebecca Haarlow
Game 2 - 76ers vs. Celtics - TNT, 6:30 p.m. - Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Stephanie Ready
Game 2 - Mavericks vs. Clippers - TNT, 9:00 p.m. - Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg

* Thursday, August 20th
Game 2 - Heat vs. Pacers - ESPN, 1:00 p.m. - Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews
Game 2 - Thunder vs. Rockets - ESPN, 3:30 p.m. - Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth
Game 2 - Magic vs. Bucks - ESPN, 6:00 p.m. - Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews
Game 2 - Trail Blazers vs. Lakers - ESPN, 9:00 p.m. - Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth

* Friday, August 21st
Game 3 - Raptors vs. Nets - NBA TV, 1:30 p.m. - Joel Meyers, Greg Anthony, Rebecca Haarlow
Game 3 - Nuggets vs. Jazz - TNT, 4:00 p.m. - Bob Fitzgerald, Jim Jackson, Stephanie Ready
Game 3 - Celtics vs. 76ers - TNT, 6:30 p.m. - Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Rebecca Haarlow
Game 3 - Clippers vs. Mavericks - TNT, 9:00 p.m. - Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg

* Saturday, August 22nd
Game 3 - Bucks vs. Magic - TNT, 1:00 p.m. - Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Rebecca Haarlow
Game 3 - Pacers vs. Heat - TNT, 3:30 p.m. - Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg
Game 3 - Rockets vs. Thunder - ESPN, 6:00 p.m. - Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews
Game 3 - Lakers vs. Trail Blazers - ABC, 8:30 p.m. - Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth

* Sunday, August 23rd
Game 4 - Celtics vs. 76ers - ABC, 1:00 p.m. - Mark Jones, Doris Burke, Malika Andrews
Game 4 - Clippers vs. Mavericks - ABC, 3:30 p.m. - Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth
Game 4 - Raptors vs. Nets - TNT, 6:30 p.m. - Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Stephanie Ready
Game 4 - Nuggets vs. Jazz - TNT, 9:00 p.m. - Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg

* Monday, August 24th
Game 4 - Bucks vs. Magic - NBA TV, 1:30 p.m. - Joel Meyers, Greg Anthony, Rebecca Haarlow
Game 4 - Rockets vs. Thunder - TNT, 4:00 p.m. - Bob Fitzgerald, Jim Jackson, Stephanie Ready
Game 4 - Pacers vs. Heat - TNT, 6:30 p.m. - Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Rebecca Haarlow
Game 4 - Lakers vs. Trail Blazers - TNT, 9:00 p.m. - Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg

* Tuesday, August 25th
Game 5 - Jazz vs. Nuggets - TNT, 6:30 p.m. - Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Rebecca Haarlow
Game 5 - Mavericks vs. Clippers - TNT, 9:00 p.m. - Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg

* Wednesday, August 26th
Game 5 - Magic vs. Bucks - NBA TV, 4:00 p.m. - Bob Fitzgerald, Jim Jackson, Rebecca Haarlow (cancelled, Jacob Blake shooting)
Game 5 - Thunder vs. Rockets - TNT, 6:30 p.m. - Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Stephanie Ready (cancelled, Jacob Blake shooting)
Game 5 - Trail Blazers vs. Lakers - TNT, 9:00 p.m. - Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg (cancelled, Jacob Blake shooting)

* Thursday, August 27th
Game 6 - Nuggets vs. Jazz - ESPN, 4:00 p.m. - Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Cassidy Hubbarth (cancelled, Jacob Blake shooting)
Game 6 - Clippers vs. Mavericks - ESPN, 9:00 p.m. - Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Cassidy Hubbarth (cancelled, Jacob Blake shooting)

* Friday, August 28th
Game 6 - Rockets vs. Thunder - TBD (Cancelled, Jacob Blake shooting)

* Saturday, August 29th
Game 5 - Magic vs. Bucks - ESPN, 3:30 p.m. - Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Malika Andrews
Game 5 - Thunder vs. Rockets - TNT, 6:30 p.m. - Spero Dedes, Stan Van Gundy, Rebecca Haarlow
Game 5 - Trail Blazers vs. Lakers - TNT, 9:00 p.m. - Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg

* Sunday, August 30th
Game 6 - Clippers vs. Mavericks - ESPN, 3:30 p.m. - Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth
Game 6 - Nuggets vs. Jazz - TNT, 8:30 p.m. - Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg

* Monday, August 31st
Game 6 - Rockets vs. Thunder - TNT, 9:00 p.m. - Brian Anderson, Chris Webber, Jared Greenberg

* Tuesday, September 1st
Game 7 - Jazz vs. Nuggets - ABC, 8:30 p.m. - Mark Jones, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth

* Wednesday, September 2nd
Game 7  - Thunder vs. Rockets - ESPN, 9:00 p.m. - Mark Jones, Mark Jackson, Cassidy Hubbarth