In a game where the Cavaliers led by as many as 26, the Boston Celtics were not the only ones getting blown out on Saturday night.
ABC averaged 4.5 million viewers in prime time for Celtics/Cavaliers Game 3, according to preliminary numbers. That is comparable to previous Saturday night telecasts; last year, Suns/Spurs Game 3 drew 4.9 million viewers, and Spurs/Jazz Game 3 drew 4.7 million. The game drew a 1.6/6 among adults 18-49.
Not surprisingly, the blowout could not compete with NASCAR on FOX. The Dodge Challenger 400 drew a solid 7.6 million viewers with a 2.6/9 among adults 18-49. The race helped FOX win the night in the demo and in total viewers.
Somewhat surprisingly, the game also did not compete with scripted programming on other networks. CBS finished ahead of ABC for the night, as re-runs of CSI:Miami, Criminal Minds and 48 Hours Mystery each finished ahead of Celtics/Cavs.
ABC must be hoping Celtics/Pistons Game 3 two weeks from now puts up better numbers.
Ratings/viewers for prime time NBA Playoff games on ABC.
excluding the NBA Finals
3.1/7, 4.7 mil: Spurs/Jazz Gm 3 (Sat., 5/26/07, 8:30 PM ABC)
3.4/7, 4.9 mil: Suns/Spurs Gm 3 (Sat., 5/12/07, 8:15 PM ABC)
5.5/9, 8.2 mil: Pistons/Heat Gm 4 (Mon., 5/29/06, 8:15 PM ABC)
3.2/6, 4.7 mil: Spurs/Mavericks Gm 3 (Sat., 5/13/06, 8:15 PM ABC)
4.7/8, 7.1 mil: Suns/Spurs Gm 4 (Mon., 5/30/05, 8:30 PM ABC)
4.1/7, 5.9 mil: Pistons/Pacers Gm 6 (Thu., 5/19/05, 8:15 PM ABC)
3.0/6, 4.5 mil: Heat/Wizards Gm 4 (Sat., 5/14/05, 8:15 PM ABC)
6.0/10, 8.6 mil: Lakers/Spurs Gm 5 (Thu., 5/13/04, 8:15 PM ABC)
4.2/7, 5.8 mil: Pistons/Nets Gm 3 (Thu., 5/22/03, 8:30 PM ABC)
6.5/11, 9.5 mil: Spurs/Lakers Gm 6 (Thu., 5/15/03, 8:30 PM ABC)
