ESPN to air Knicks–Cavaliers Game 1

ESPN will televise Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night, with tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. The game will air on ESPN from Madison Square Garden in New York, according to ESPN and NBA.com. ESPN said the best-of-seven series will be carried exclusively on its networks. ### Which game is ESPN airing, and when does it start? Tuesday, May 19 is the opener of the Knicks-Cavaliers Eastern Conference finals series. NBA.com lists the game as Game 1, with the series beginning in New York because the Knicks are hosting the opener at Madison Square Garden. ESPN said its conference-finals coverage begins with the Cavaliers and Knicks at 8 p.m. (espnpressroom.com) ET. The network’s press release said the series will be available exclusively on ESPN networks. ### Who is on ESPN’s broadcast team for the series? (nba.com) ESPN named Mike Breen as play-by-play announcer for the series. The company said Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler will work as analysts, with Lisa Salters serving as reporter. (espnpressroom.com) ESPN Radio is using a different crew. The Futon Critic, reproducing ESPN’s release, said Dave Pasch will handle play-by-play on radio alongside analyst Doris Burke and reporter Vanessa Richardson. (espnpressroom.com) ### How did Cleveland and New York reach the East finals? Cleveland advanced after winning a Game 7 against Detroit. Local and national reports published Tuesday said the Cavaliers beat the Pistons to move on to the Eastern Conference finals. (thefutoncritic.com) New York reached the round after a sweep in the previous series. ESPN’s playoff schedule page and series coverage identify the Knicks as Cleveland’s opponent in the East finals, with the matchup set once the Cavaliers finished off Detroit. ### Where can viewers find the rest of the series schedule? NBA.com lists Game 2 for May 21, Game 3 for May 23 and Game 4 for May 25, all with 8 p.m. (wkyc.com) ET start times. If needed, Game 5 is set for May 27, Game 6 for May 29 and Game 7 for May 31. USA Today and other local outlets also published series viewing information for Cleveland fans, matching the NBA’s schedule for the Cavaliers-Knicks matchup. (nba.com) ### What else is ESPN putting around the telecast? ESPN said “NBA Tip-Off” will serve as its Eastern Conference finals pregame show, with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal. (nba.com) The network said Draymond Green will appear as a guest analyst on select editions, and “Inside the NBA” will air after each game. (usatoday.com) Game 1 is the next scheduled step in the series, with Cleveland and New York set to return for Game 2 on Thursday, May 21 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, according to NBA.com. (nba.com) (espnpressroom.com)