The schedule for the Raptors-Knicks first-round playoff
series will "include gaps between games that could reach
three days and stretch" the series "over a 13-day period,"
according to Selena Roberts of the N.Y. TIMES, who writes
that the new schedule "was part of a plan by Turner Sports
to grab higher ratings for TNT and TBS." TV execs said that
the strategy "would eliminate double-headers that put the
cable networks in competition with each other." Knicks
coach Jeff Van Gundy, on the schedule: "It's understandable
why they're doing it. They're trying to boost TV ratings.
We all benefit from that." Roberts: "But with games spaced
so far apart, there is a chance that fans who have short
attention spans will miss the drama that used to build
between tightly scheduled games" (N.Y. TIMES, 4/20). The
scheduling change is part of Turner's current TV deal, but
"could not be implemented last season because the lockout
forced a tight playoff schedule." The NBA didn't want
playoff games airing at the same time on both TBS and TNT.
Now, TBS will "primarily carry Monday night games, and TNT
will show the doubleheaders, a plan that is expected to
yield higher ratings." No playoffs games on TNT, TBS or NBC
will air up against each other (N.Y. TIMES, 4/20).
RATINGS: In Milwaukee, Bob Wolfley reports that WCGV-
UPN's coverage of Monday's Bucks-Magic game, which was a
must-win for the Bucks to advance to the playoffs, averaged
an 8.9 local Nielsen rating, which is "almost double the
team's regular-season average." Wolfley: "In the handful of
games before that contest, TV viewers had shown indifference
to the Bucks' playoff bid" (MIL. JOURNAL SENTINEL, 4/20).
DICK'S PICK: Rockets Owner Les Alexander, on the state
of his team: "I think we have a great team. It's really
exciting and fun for everybody to watch. The head of NBC
Sports (Dick Ebersol) told me the other day we have the most
exciting team in the NBA. In a year or two, we should be
getting a lot of exposure" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/20).
