Barkley alert
Because TNT analyst Steve Kerr is nursing a back injury, the network has decided to dispatch Charles Barkley from the studio to cozy up next to Marv Albert on Thursday night's telecast of the Lakers' game at Sacramento (7:30 p.m.)
It's the first time TNT has thought it was necessary to sent Barkley to an actual game. It leaves Ernie Johson and Kenny Smith alone in the TNT studios to fend for themselves.
Kevin Harlan and Doug Collins are doing the Detroit-New Orleans game (from Oklahoma City) as the opener to the network's doubleheader.