Clipper-Sun Series Won’t Be on ABC

ABC Sports bypassed the Clipper-Phoenix Sun series, but if TNT executives are disappointed they didn’t get a Clipper-Laker matchup in the second round of the NBA playoffs, they weren’t saying so Sunday.

“While a ‘Hallway Series’ would have captured a great deal of attention locally, as well as nationally, the Clippers have great underdog appeal,” TNT spokesman Jeff Pomeroy said. “And the Suns’ high-powered offense, led by two-time league MVP Steve Nash, will certainly attract impressive audiences.”

TNT could televise as many as five games during the Clipper-Sun series.

Game 3 -- and Game 6, should it be needed -- would be on ESPN.

The TNT games are exclusive, meaning no local carrier can televise them. The ESPN games during the second round are not exclusive and can be televised by local carriers. So Game 3 will be televised by ESPN and FSN Prime Ticket. The local carrier for Game 6, should it be needed, has not been determined.

Clear Channel, which owns radio stations 570 and 1150, will air the Clipper-Sun series on Laker flagship 570.

That enables Clear Channel to carry the Mighty Ducks and Colorado Avalanche in their second-round NHL playoff series on 1150.

Clipper announcers Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith will be on radio when there is no local telecast, and regular radio play-by-play announcer Matt Pinto will serve as host of an expanded pregame show, which will begin an hour before game time.

Games 3 and 4 of the Duck-Avalanche series are exclusive to OLN, meaning no local carrier. Game 5 would be on NBC only, and Games 6 and 7 would be on FSN Prime Ticket.