The NBA Playoffs started off with a bang on Saturday.
All four playoff games on Saturday saw increases of at least 32%, and two games saw ratings jump by over 50%.
The instant classic Suns/Spurs double-overtime game drew a 3.7 overnight on ABC on Saturday, up 32% from a 2.8 for Bulls/Heat in ’07. The 3.7 is the highest rating ABC has ever drawn for a game on the first Saturday of the playoffs.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s opening day tripleheader saw soaring ratings. Cavaliers/Wizards drew a 2.1 in the ratings-unfriendly 12:30 PM timeslot, up 50% from a 1.4 for Nets/Raptors last year. Mavericks/Hornets drew a 2.4, up 60% from a 1.5 for last year’s Magic/Pistons game. The highest rated game of the day on ESPN was Jazz/Rockets, which drew a 2.5 rating — up 39% from a 1.8 for the same game last year.
Nuggets/Lakers on Sunday could not keep up the momentum for ESPN/ABC. The Lakers’ 128-114 win drew a 3.9 overnight — even with Lakers/Suns last year. Having the game preempted in the New York market could not have helped.
NBA Playoff ratings on ESPN and ABC.
2.1: Wizards/Cavaliers (Sat., 12:30 PM ESPN); up 50% from ’07.
3.7: Suns/Spurs (Sat., 3:00 PM ABC); up 32% from ’07.
2.4: Mavericks/Hornets (Sat, 7:00 PM ESPN); up 60% from ’07.
2.5: Jazz/Rockets (Sat., 9:30 PM ESPN); up 39% from ’07.
3.9: Nuggets/Lakers (Sun., 3:00 PM ABC); even with ’07.
