TNT NBA ratings on a big high. And Charles, Kenny and Ernie will be back

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TNT’s television coverage of the NBA Eastern Conference finals between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers averaged a 5.4 rating and was up 29% over last year’s six-game Western Conference finals between the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs. These ratings are also 35% ahead of what ESPN received last year for the Eastern Conference finals between Detroit and Boston.

And TNT’s popular studio show crew, with host Ernie Johnson and analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, isn’t off the air yet. Though TNT’s coverage of the playoffs is over with the finals moving to ABC, Johnson, Barkley and Smith will do pre- and post-game shows from Orlando for Games 3, 4 and (if necessary) 5 on NBA TV. Ahmad Rashad will host any games from Los Angeles with Gary Payton and Chris Webber as analysts.

-- Diane Pucin