Grieving China pulls the TV plug on NBA Playoffs

May 28 -- NBA playoff games have temporarily been taken off the air by China's state television network because they are considered too entertaining for a nation still recovering from the recent devastating Sichuan earthquake, according to Reuters news service.

All entertainment in the country was halted last week for three days of national mourning for the victims of the 7.9-magnitude quake that struck May 12.

State TV sports channel CCTV 5, like most other stations, returned to normal programming Thursday and showed that day's Lakers-Spurs game. But subsequent West games and the East finals were not shown.

"These games are not in accordance with the atmosphere of the nation after the devastation of the earthquake. They are too entertaining," said Jiang Heping, director of the state TV sports channel. He hoped that games would be back on the air by the time the NBA Finals begin.

NBA games have been shown on CCTV for more than 20 years.

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