1998-99 NBA Season
As originally posted by Tony Miller:
The start of 1998-1999 was delayed three months by a lockout: the season was shortened to 50 games, ending in early May rather than late April, and the All-Star Game scheduled for Feb. 14 was canceled.
In the playoffs, NBC broke up their three-man booths: Isiah Thomas bought the Continental Basketball Association, leaving Costas/Collins as the “A” team. The “B” team returned to full strength for the conference finals, but Bill Walton left Tom Hammond and Steve Jones to pair with Dick Enberg for the first round.
While this was the final “full season” for a half-dozen arenas, only one facility was inaugurated: the Raptors played their first game at the Air Canada Centre on Feb. 21 after playing their first three home dates at SkyDome and Maple Leaf Gardens. The Hawks again split time between the Georgia Dome (14 regular-season and four playoff dates) and Alexander Memorial Coliseum (11 regular-season games plus a playoff contest).
This data was compiled from ”NBA on NBC Schedule” and ”NBA on TNT Regular Season Schedules”. Contributors to those threads include Sports Analyst 829, NPBearsFan, Sparty, onairb2, ak482, SabresBuffalo, OswaldBates, scwhit86, SRIV94/Doug, jdelachjr2002, falcons29, djob, reganBuffalo, wdoodlesonII, Suncoast Bull, Gmen Ben, Stockpile, Dnbronc, thesportsfanatic, TomCoz0518, BigTimeEmpire, 61woods, Everett Fairfax, tamalie, schmave, Market42, NPBearsFan and myself. The NBC playoff schedule is in Jeff79’s characteristic formatting, though his name doesn’t appear.
FEBRUARY
Friday 2/5:
Knicks-Magic, 8:00, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Craig Sager
Rockets-Lakers, 10:30, TNT. Bob Neal, Hubie Brown, Cheryl Miller
Sunday 2/7:
Heat-Knicks, 1:00, NBC regional. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
Pacers-Pistons, 1:00, NBC regional. Mike Breen, Matt Guokas, Lisa Malosky
Jazz-Lakers, 3:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Monday 2/8:
Lakers-Spurs, 8:00, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Scott Hastings
Tuesday 2/9:
Celtics-Heat, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Friday 2/12:
Spurs-76ers, 8:00, TNT. Bob Neal, Reggie Theus, Cheryl Miller
Sunday 2/14:
Pacers-Lakers, 5:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Monday 2/15:
Nets-Heat, 8:00, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Cheryl Miller
Tuesday 2/16:
Heat-Pacers, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Reggie Theus
Friday 2/19:
Pistons-Suns, 8:00, TNT. Bob Neal, Reggie Theus, Cheryl Miller
Spurs-Lakers, 10:30, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Scott Hastings
Saturday 2/20:
Rockets-Heat, 3:30, NBC regional. Mike Breen, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
Sonics-Jazz, 3:30, NBC regional. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Sunday 2/21:
Pistons-Spurs, 1:00, NBC regional. Dan Hicks, Doc Rivers, Paul Sunderland
Bulls-Knicks, 1:00, NBC regional. Mike Breen, Matt Guokas, Jim Gray
Rockets-Magic, 3:30, NBC. Dick Enberg, Bill Walton, Lisa Malosky
Lakers-Sonics, 6:00, NBC regional. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Nets-Pacers, 6:00, NBC regional. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bruce Beck
Monday 2/22:
Lakers-Nuggets, 8:00, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Craig Sager
Tuesday 2/23:
Sonics-Rockets, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Friday 2/26:
Knicks-Celtics, 8:00, TNT. Chip Caray, Reggie Theus, Cheryl Miller
Sunday 2/28:
Magic-Heat, 12:30, NBC regional. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Jim Gray
Knicks-Pistons, 12:30, NBC regional. Mike Breen, Matt Guokas, Lisa Malosky
Jazz-Spurs, 3:00, NBC. Dick Enberg, Bill Walton, Paul Sunderland
Rockets-Lakers, 5:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
MARCH
Monday 3/1:
Lakers-Suns, 8:00, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Scott Hastings
Tuesday 3/2:
Knicks-Heat, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Sunday 3/7:
Heat-Pacers, 12:00, NBC regional. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
Nets-Knicks, 12:00, NBC regional. Mike Breen, Matt Guokas, Lisa Malosky
Lakers-Jazz, 6:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Monday 3/8:
Wizards-Pistons, 8:00, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Cheryl Miller
Tuesday 3/9:
Sonics-Timberwolves, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Sunday 3/14:
Nets-Heat, 12:30, NBC regional. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Celtics-Pacers, 12:30, NBC regional. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
Monday 3/15:
Knicks-Bucks, 8:00, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Scott Hastings
Tuesday 3/16:
Lakers-Timberwolves, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Sunday 3/21:
Lakers-Magic, 12:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Jim Gray
Monday 3/22:
Hawks-Knicks, 8:00, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Craig Sager
Tuesday 3/23:
Heat-Jazz, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Friday 3/26:
Knicks-Suns, 8:00, TNT. Bob Neal, Reggie Theus, Cheryl Miller
Kings-Lakers, 10:30, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Sunday 3/28:
Heat-Magic, 12:30, NBC regional. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Paul Sunderland
Pacers-Celtics, 12:30, NBC regional. Bob Neal, Bill Walton, Jim Gray(?)
Sonics-Pistons, 12:30, NBC regional. Mike Breen, Matt Guokas, Lisa Malosky
Knicks-Lakers, 6:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Tuesday 3/30:
Pacers-Knicks, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
APRIL
Friday 4/2:
Sonics-Blazers, 8:00, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Craig Sager
Lakers-Suns, 10:30, TNT. Marv Albert, Reggie Theus, Cheryl Miller
Sunday 4/4:
Knicks-Pacers, 3:30, NBC. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
Rockets-Sonics, 6:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Monday 4/5:
Pacers-Pistons, 8:00, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Craig Sager
Tuesday 4/6:
Magic-Knicks, 8:00, TNT. Bob Neal, Reggie Theus, Cheryl Miller
Jazz-Lakers, 10:30, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Friday 4/9:
Suns-Jazz, 8:00, TNT. Marv Albert, Doc Rivers, Scott Hastings
Timberwolves-Lakers, 10:30, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Hubie Brown, Cheryl Miller
Sunday 4/11:
Rockets-Jazz, 3:00, NBC regional. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Lisa Malosky
Knicks-Nets, 3:00, NBC regional. Mike Breen, Matt Guokas, Bruce Beck
Sonics-Lakers, 5:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Monday 4/12:
Rockets-Timberwolves, 8:00, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Craig Sager
Tuesday 4/13:
Lakers-Blazers, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Jazz-Kings, 10:30, TNT. Bob Neal, Reggie Theus, Cheryl Miller
Friday 4/16:
Pacers-76ers, 8:00, TNT. Marv Albert, Reggie Theus, Cheryl Miller
Saturday 4/17:
Lakers-Jazz, 8:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Sunday 4/18:
Pistons-Magic, 3:00, NBC regional. Bob Neal, Bill Walton, Paul Sunderland
Sonics-Suns, 3:00, NBC regional. Mike Breen, Matt Guokas, Lisa Malosky
Rockets-Spurs, 5:30, NBC regional. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Pacers-Heat, 5:30, NBC regional. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Jim Gray
Monday 4/19:
Pacers-Celtics, 8:00, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Scott Hastings
Tuesday 4/20:
Spurs-Jazz, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Lakers-Warriors, 10:30, TNT. Kevin Calabro, Reggie Theus, Dei Lynam
Wednesday 4/21:
Lakers-Blazers, 8:00, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Dei Lynam
Friday 4/23:
Raptors-Magic, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Blazers-Jazz, 10:30, TNT. Marv Albert, Reggie Theus, Cheryl Miller
Saturday 4/24:
Lakers-Spurs, 8:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Sunday 4/25:
Knicks-Heat, 3:00, NBC regional. Mike Breen, Matt Guokas, Lisa Malosky
Rockets-Suns, 3:00, NBC regional. Dan Hicks, Doc Rivers, Fred Roggin
Magic-76ers, 5:30, NBC regional. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Paul Sunderland
Sonics-Jazz, 5:30, NBC regional. Dick Enberg, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
Monday 4/26:
Lakers-Rockets, 8:00, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Scott Hastings
Tuesday 4/27:
Magic-Pacers, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Jazz-Sonics, 10:30, TNT. Marv Albert, Reggie Theus, Norma Wick
Friday 4/30:
Jazz-Rockets, 8:00, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Scott Hastings
MAY
Sunday 5/2:
Knicks-Pacers, 1:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Lakers-Sonics, 3:30, NBC regional. Mike Breen, Matt Guokas, Lisa Malosky
Jazz-Spurs, 3:30, NBC regional. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
Monday 5/3:
Celtics-Knicks, 8:00, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Craig Sager
Tuesday 5/4:
Cavaliers-Pacers, 8:00, TNT. Marv Albert, Reggie Theus, Dei Lynam
Wednesday 5/5:
Heat-Knicks, 8:00, TBS. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Blazers-Lakers, 10:30, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Cheryl Miller
Saturday 5/8:
East 1st rd, g1: Knicks-Heat, 12:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
West 1st rd, g1: Suns-Blazers, 3:00, NBC. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Paul Sunderland
West 1st rd, g1: Kings-Jazz, 5:30, NBC. Dick Enberg, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
East 1st rd, g1: Pistons-Hawks, 8:30, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Sunday 5/9:
East 1st rd, g1: 76ers-Magic, 12:30, NBC. Mike Breen, Matt Guokas, Lisa Malosky
West 1st rd, g1: Timberwolves-Spurs, 3:00, NBC. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
West 1st rd, g1: Rockets-Lakers, 5:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
East 1st rd, g1: Bucks-Pacers, 8:30, TNT. Marv Albert, James Worthy, Dei Lynam
Monday 5/10:
East 1st rd, g2: Knicks-Heat, 7:00, TBS. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
East 1st rd, g2: Pistons-Hawks, 8:00, TNT. Mike Gorman, Jack Givens, Dei Lynam
West 1st rd, g2: Kings-Jazz, 9:30, TBS. Bob Neal, Reggie Theus, Cheryl Miller
West 1st rd, g2: Suns-Blazers, 10:30, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Beth Mowins
Tuesday 5/11:
East 1st rd, g2: 76ers-Magic, 7:00, TBS. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
West 1st rd, g2: Timberwolves-Spurs, 8:00, TNT. Kevin Calabro, James Worthy, Norma Wick
East 1st rd, g2: Bucks-Pacers, 9:30, TBS. Marv Albert, Bill Walton, Lewis Johnson
West 1st rd, g2: Rockets-Lakers, 10:30, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Scott Hastings
Wednesday 5/12:
East 1st rd, g3: Hawks-Pistons, 7:00, TBS. Mike Gorman, Jack Givens, Dei Lynam
East 1st rd, g3: Heat-Knicks, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
West 1st rd, g3: Blazers-Suns, 9:30, TBS. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Beth Mowins
West 1st rd, g3: Jazz-Kings, 10:30, TNT. Bob Neal, Reggie Theus, Cheryl Miller
Thursday 5/13:
East 1st rd, g3: Magic-76ers, 6:30, TBS. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
West 1st rd, g3: Spurs-Timberwolves, 7:00, TNT. Kevin Calabro, James Worthy, Norma Wick
East 1st rd, g3: Pacers-Bucks, 9:00, TBS. Marv Albert, Bill Walton, Lewis Johnson
West 1st rd, g3: Lakers-Rockets, 10:30, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Scott Hastings
Friday 5/14:
East 1st rd, g4: Hawks-Pistons, 7:00, TBS. Mike Gorman, Jack Givens, Dei Lynam
East 1st rd, g4: Heat-Knicks, 8:00, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
West 1st rd, g4: Jazz-Kings, 10:30, TNT. Bob Neal, Reggie Theus, Cheryl Miller
Saturday 5/15:
East 1st rd, g4: Magic-76ers, 12:30, NBC. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Paul Sunderland
West 1st rd, g4: Spurs-Timberwolves, 3:00, NBC. Dick Enberg, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
West 1st rd, g4: Lakers-Rockets, 5:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Sunday 5/16:
East 1st rd, g5: Knicks-Heat, 3:00, NBC. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
West 1st rd, g5: Kings-Jazz, 5:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
East 1st rd, g5: Pistons-Hawks (at Georgia Tech), 8:00, TNT. Bob Neal, Reggie Theus, Dei Lynam
Monday 5/17:
East semis, g1: 76ers-Pacers, 7:00, TBS. Marv Albert, Bill Walton, Dei Lynam
West semis, g1: Lakers-Spurs, 9:30, TBS. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Tuesday 5/18:
East semis, g1: Knicks-Hawks, 8:00, TNT. Bob Neal, Reggie Theus, Scott Hastings
West semis, g1: Blazers-Jazz, 10:30, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Cheryl Miller
Wednesday 5/19:
East semis, g2: 76ers-Pacers, 7:00, TNT. Marv Albert, Bill Walton, Dei Lynam
West semis, g2: Lakers-Spurs, 9:30, TNT. Dick Stockton, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager
Thursday 5/20:
East semis, g2: Knicks-Hawks, 8:00, TNT. Bob Neal, Reggie Theus, Scott Hastings
West semis, g2: Blazers-Jazz, 10:30, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Cheryl Miller
Friday 5/21:
East semis, g3: Pacers-76ers, 8:00, TNT. Marv Albert, Hubie Brown, Dei Lynam
Saturday 5/22:
West semis, g3: Jazz-Blazers, 3:00, NBC. Dick Enberg, Bill Walton, Paul Sunderland
West semis, g3: Spurs-Lakers, 5:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Sunday 5/23:
East semis, g4: Pacers-76ers, 12:30, NBC. Mike Breen, Matt Guokas, Lisa Malosky
East semis, g3: Hawks-Knicks, 3:00, NBC. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
West semis, g4: Spurs-Lakers, 5:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
West semis, g4: Jazz-Blazers, 8:30, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Cheryl Miller
Monday 5/24:
East semis, g4: Hawks-Knicks, 8:00, TBS. Bob Neal, Reggie Theus, Scott Hastings
Tuesday 5/25:
West semis, g5: Blazers-Jazz, 8:00, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Cheryl Miller
Thursday 5/27:
West semis, g6: Jazz-Blazers, 9:00, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Cheryl Miller
Saturday 5/29:
West finals, g1: Blazers-Spurs, 5:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Sunday 5/30:
East finals, g1: Knicks-Pacers, 5:30, NBC. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
The Indianapolis 500 earlier that afternoon was on ABC.
Monday 5/31:
West finals, g2: Blazers-Spurs, 5:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
JUNE
Tuesday 6/1:
East finals, g2: Knicks-Pacers, 8:30, TNT. Kevin Harlan, Doc Rivers, Hubie Brown, Craig Sager, Dei Lynam
Friday 6/4:
West finals, g3: Spurs-Blazers, 9:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Saturday 6/5:
East finals, g3: Pacers-Knicks, 6:30, NBC. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
Sunday 6/6:
West finals, g4: Spurs-Blazers, 6:30, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad
Monday 6/7:
East finals, g4: Pacers-Knicks, 9:00, NBC. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
Wednesday 6/9:
East finals, g5: Knicks-Pacers, 9:00, NBC. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
Friday 6/11:
East finals, g6: Pacers-Knicks, 9:00, NBC. Tom Hammond, Steve Jones, Bill Walton, Jim Gray
Wednesday 6/16:
NBA Finals, g1: Knicks-Spurs, 9:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad, Jim Gray
Friday 6/18:
NBA Finals, g2: Knicks-Spurs, 9:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad, Jim Gray
Monday 6/21:
NBA Finals, g3: Spurs-Knicks, 9:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad, Jim Gray
Wednesday 6/23:
NBA Finals, g4: Spurs-Knicks, 9:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad, Jim Gray
Friday 6/25:
NBA Finals, g5: Spurs-Knicks, 9:00, NBC. Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Ahmad Rashad, Jim Gray