Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons drew a 3.5 overnight rating, according to the Sports Business Daily. That rating is lower than the 3.8 overnight for Game 1 between Utah and San Antonio; however, it should be pointed out that Jazz/Spurs Game 1 was on network television (ABC), while Cavaliers/Pistons aired on cable (TNT).
The final rating will almost certainly be down from the comparable 3.7 final national rating earned by Heat/Pistons Game 1, which aired on ESPN last year.
At this point, indications are that both Conference Final series will see significant declines from last year.
