The NBA’s most reliable draw over the past decade may soon be out of the postseason, but not before generating a few more big audiences for the league’s TV partners.
The Lakers’ Game 2 loss to the Mavericks earned an impressive 5.3 overnight rating on TNT Wednesday night, up 13% from Monday’s Game 1 (DAL/LAL G1: 4.7). There was no comparable game in the late timeslot last year.
The 5.3 is the second-highest of the second round (eight telecasts), behind only Celtics/Heat Game 1 on ABC Sunday (7.0).
The game drew a 15.1 rating in Los Angeles, up 1% from Game 1 (14.9). Ratings improved dramatically in Dallas, rising 35% from an 11.1 in Game 1 to a 15.0 in Game 2.
Earlier in the night, the Bulls’ series-tying Game 2 win over the Hawks drew a 4.1 overnight, the same as Monday’s Game 1, and up 24% from last year’s comparable game (SA/PHX G2: 3.3).
In Chicago, the game drew a 16.8 rating, up a tick from Game 1 (16.7). The game drew a 7.2 in Atlanta, down 10% from Game 1 (8.0).
Final ratings and viewership for Monday and Tuesday games on TNT are available here.
(Numbers from Turner Sports)
