1985-86 NBA Season
As originally posted by Tony Miller:
For 1985-1986, the NBA landscape saw a few changes. The Sonics moved out of the Kingdome and back to Seattle Center Coliseum. The Kings moved from Kansas City to Sacramento, vacating Kemper Arena in favor of the 10,333-seat ARCO Arena.
Stockton and Heinsohn again anchored CBS coverage. Gary Bender and Doug Collins also appeared during the regular season, and Brent Musburger returned to his no. 2 spot for the playoffs. This time, Hubie Brown was paired with Bender on the No. 3 crew as Billy Cunningham analyzed alongside Musburger. Jim Nantz and Collins were the remaining talent.
TBS again used Rick Barry/Bill Russell and Skip Caray/John Andariese as its main duos. Red Auerbach became the third analyst alongside Bob Neal.
Data transcribed from ”’NBA on CBS’ Regular Season Schedules” and ”NBA on CBS Playoff Games”. Additional listings and significant clarifications on which games have been confirmed came from jtgrace1 and Jeff79.
For the several games that are not confirmed, the initials of jtgrace1's guesses are given in parentheses. These are, for the sake of emphasis, GUESSES.
OCTOBER-NOVEMBER
Friday 10/25:
Celtics-Nets, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Saturday 10/26:
76ers-Knicks, 1:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O'Brien
Tuesday 10/29:
Lakers-Mavericks, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 11/1:
Pacers-Pistons, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Tuesday 11/5:
Blazers-Rockets, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Friday 11/8:
Nuggets-Lakers, 10:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Tuesday 11/12:
Suns-Knicks, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 11/15:
Bulls-Bucks, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Tuesday 11/19:
Rockets-Nuggets, 9:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Friday 11/22:
Knicks-Bullets, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese, Red Auerbach
Tuesday 11/26:
Celtics-76ers, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 11/29:
Knicks-Celtics, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
DECEMBER
Tuesday 12/3:
Bulls-Kings, 10:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 12/6:
Rockets-Lakers, 10:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Tuesday 12/10:
Sonics-Bucks, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Friday 12/13:
Hawks-Pacers, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Saturday 12/14:
Rockets-Jazz, 9:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Tuesday 12/17:
Lakers-Knicks, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 12/20:
Lakers-Cavaliers, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Saturday 12/21:
Celtics-76ers, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Wednesday 12/25:
Celtics-Knicks, 3:30, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O’Brien
Clippers-Blazers, 9:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 12/27:
Blazers-Mavericks, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
JANUARY
Friday 1/3:
Bucks-Bullets, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Monday 1/6:
76ers-Spurs, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 1/10:
Hawks-Celtics, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Saturday 1/11:
76ers-Pistons, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Monday 1/13:
Nuggets-Bucks, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 1/17:
Celtics-Pacers, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Sunday 1/19:
Lakers-Pistons, 12:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O'Brien
Monday 1/20:
Knicks-76ers, 1:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Lakers-Bulls, 3:30, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Wednesday 1/22:
Lakers-Celtics, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 1/24:
76ers-Cavaliers, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Sunday 1/26:
76ers-Celtics, 12:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O'Brien
Monday 1/27:
Bulls-Mavericks, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Friday 1/31:
76ers-Lakers, 10:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
FEBRUARY
Saturday 2/1:
Rockets-Bulls, 2:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn
Sunday 2/2:
Knicks-Lakers, 8:00, TBS. Announcers unknown (rb-br)
Monday 2/3:
Nuggets-Rockets, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Sunday 2/9:
NBA All-Star Game at Dallas
East-West, 1:45, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O’Brien
Tuesday 2/11:
Lakers-Warriors, 10:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 2/14:
Celtics-Blazers, 10:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Sunday 2/16:
Celtics-Lakers. 3:30, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O’Brien
JIP in first minute due to Daytona 500.
Monday 2/17:
Bucks-76ers, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 2/21:
Rockets-Mavericks, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Sunday 2/23:
Lakers-76ers, 12:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O’Brien
Monday 2/24:
Bulls-Pistons, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Friday 2/28:
76ers-Mavericks, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
MARCH
Sunday 3/2:
Pistons-Celtics, 2:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O’Brien
Monday 3/3:
Knicks-Bucks, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Friday 3/7:
Hawks-Bulls, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Sunday 3/9:
Pacers-76ers, 1:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O’Brien
Monday 3/10:
Celtics-Mavericks, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 3/14:
Celtics-Hawks, 7:30, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Sunday 3/16:
76ers-Celtics, 1:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Monday 3/17:
76ers-Cavaliers, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Friday 3/21:
Pistons-Suns, 9:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Monday 3/24:
Rockets-Celtics, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Tuesday 3/25:
Lakers-Nuggets, 9:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 3/28:
Rockets-Pistons, 7:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Sunday 3/30:
Mavericks-76ers, 1:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
APRIL
Friday 4/4:
Knicks-Celtics, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Sunday 4/6:
Celtics-76ers, 1:00, CBS. Gary Bender, Doug Collins
Lakers-Rockets, 3:30, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O'Brien
Monday 4/7:
Bucks-Bulls, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Thursday 4/10:
Rockets-Lakers, 10:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Sunday 4/13:
Bulls-Cavaliers, 12:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Thursday 4/17:
East quarters, g1: Bulls-Celtics, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
West quarters, g1: Spurs-Lakers, 10:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Friday 4/18:
West quarters, g1: Blazers-Nuggets, 10:30, TBS. Bob Neal, Red Auerbach
Saturday 4/19:
East quarters, g2: Pistons-Hawks, 3:30, CBS regional. Brent Musburger, Billy Cunningham, James Brown
West quarters, g2: Spurs-Lakers, 3:30, CBS regional. Jim Nantz, Doug Collins
West quarters, g2: Kings-Rockets, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Sunday 4/20:
East quarters, g2: Bulls-Celtics, 1:00, CBS regional. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O'Brien
East quarters, g2: Bullets-76ers, 1:00, CBS regional. Gary Bender, Hubie Brown
East quarters, g2: Nets-Bucks, 5:30, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
West quarters, g2: Jazz-Mavericks, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Tuesday 4/22:
West quarters, g3: Rockets-Kings, 10:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Wednesday 4/23:
West quarters, g3: Lakers-Spurs, 8:30, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Friday 4/25:
East quarters, g4: Hawks-Pistons, 8:00, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Saturday 4/26:
West semis, g1: Nuggets-Rockets, 3:30, CBS. Gary Bender, Hubie Brown, James Brown
Sunday 4/27:
East semis, g1: Hawks-Celtics, 1:00, CBS. Brent Musburger, Billy Cunningham
East quarters, g5: Bullets-76ers, 3:30, CBS regional. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O'Brien
West semis, g1: Mavericks-Lakers, 3:30, CBS regional. Jim Nantz, Doug Collins
Tuesday 4/29:
East semis, g2: Hawks-Celtics, 8:30, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Wednesday 4/30:
West semis, g2: Mavericks-Lakers, 10:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
(Note: false tripleheader on April 20.)
MAY
Thursday 5/1:
East semis, g2: 76ers-Bucks, 8:30, TBS. Bob Neal, Red Auerbach
Friday 5/2:
West semis, g3: Rockets-Nuggets, 10:30, TBS. Rick Barry(?), Bill Russell(?)
Saturday 5/3:
East semis, g3: Bucks-76ers, 2:30, CBS. Gary Bender, Hubie Brown, James Brown
Sunday 5/4:
East semis, g4: Celtics-Hawks, 1:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O'Brien
West semis, g4: Lakers-Mavericks, 3:30, CBS regional. Brent Musburger, Billy Cunningham
West semis, g4: Rockets-Nuggets, 3:30, CBS regional. Jim Nantz, Doug Collins
Monday 5/5:
East semis, g4: Bucks-76ers, 7:30, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Tuesday 5/6:
East semis, g5: Hawks-Celtics, 7:30, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
West semis, g5: Mavericks-Lakers, 10:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Wednesday 5/7:
East semis, g5: 76ers-Bucks, 8:00, TBS. Bob Neal, Red Auerbach
Thursday 5/8:
West semis, g6: Lakers-Mavericks, 11:30 (taped 9:30), CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn
Friday 5/9:
East semis, g6: Bucks-76ers, 8:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Saturday 5/10:
West finals, g1: Rockets-Lakers, 3:30, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, James Brown
Sunday 5/11:
East semis, g7: 76ers-Bucks, 1::00, CBS. Brent Musburger, Billy Cunningham, Pat O'Brien
Tuesday 5/13:
West finals, g2: Rockets-Lakers, 10:30, TBS. Rick Barry, Bill Russell
Thursday 5/15:
East finals, g2: Bucks-Celtics, 8:00, TBS. Skip Caray, John Andariese
Friday 5/16:
West finals, g3: Lakers-Rockets, 11:30 (taped 9:30), CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn
Saturday 5/17:
East finals, g3: Celtics-Bucks, 2:00, CBS. Brent Musburger, Billy Cunningham, Pat O'Brien
Sunday 5/18:
East finals, g4: Celtics-Bucks, 3:30, CBS regional. Brent Musburger, Billy Cunningham, Pat O'Brien
West finals, g4: Lakers-Rockets, 3:30, CBS regional. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, James Brown
Wednesday 5/21:
West finals, g5: Rockets-Lakers, 11:30, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Pat O'Brien
Monday 5/26:
NBA Finals, g1: Rockets-Celtics, 3:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Brent Musburger, Pat O'Brien
Thursday 5/29:
NBA Finals, g2: Rockets-Celtics, 9:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Brent Musburger, Pat O'Brien
(Notes: May 16 is the last playoff game on tape delay. May 18 is the last regional coverage of the conference finals. East finals g1, May 13, is the last conference final game not aired by a national network.)
JUNE
Sunday 6/1:
NBA Finals, g3: Celtics-Rockets, 3:30, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Brent Musburger, Pat O'Brien
Tuesday 6/3:
NBA Finals, g4: Celtics-Rockets, 9:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Brent Musburger, Pat O'Brien
Thursday 6/5:
NBA Finals, g5: Celtics-Rockets, 9:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Brent Musburger, Pat O'Brien
Sunday 6/8:
NBA Finals, g6: Rockets-Celtics, 1:00, CBS. Dick Stockton, Tom Heinsohn, Brent Musburger, Pat O'Brien