Game 4 of the NBA Finals drew the same overnight as Game 1.
The Celtics’ miracle comeback victory drew a 10.4 overnight on ABC, up 33% from a 7.8 for the deciding Spurs/Cavaliers Game 4 last year, but down 28% from the 14.4 for Lakers/Pistons Game 4 in 2004 — the last time the Lakers were in the NBA Finals.
Game 4 was a blowout for most of the first half, with even ABC analyst Jeff van Gundy saying the series would be tied 2-2. The Lakers had the largest lead after one quarter in NBA Finals history, and led by 18 at halftime. With that in mind, it is no surprise ratings were down from Game 3, which drew a 10.8 overnight. The Celtics did not cut the Lakers’ lead to single digits until after 11:00 PM ET.
While Game 4 is literally an instant classic — ESPN Classic will re-air the game Saturday night — it may cost the NBA and ABC. The Celtics now have a 3-1 lead, meaning this series could end abruptly on Sunday. While Game 5 should be the highest rated game of the series, it will not be enough to pull the average rating out of the high 8.0 range.
The game drew a 28.2 in Los Angeles, down 8% from the 30.6 Lakers/Pistons Game 4 drew in 2004. In Boston, the game drew a 21.3, the lowest of the series. Clearly, several Celtics fans temporarily jumped off the bandwagon when the game looked out of hand.
