As was the case five years ago, the Jazz and Spurs combined for ratings kryptonite on Wednesday.
Game 2 of the Jazz/Spurs first round NBA playoff series drew just 1.811 million viewers on TNT Wednesday night, down 45% from Nuggets/Thunder Game 2 last year (3.292M), and even down 12% from Bobcats/Magic Game 2 in 2010 (2.066M).
The game ranks as the least-viewed NBA playoff game on ABC, ESPN or TNT since Magic/Bobcats Game 4 in 2010 (1.678M).
Jazz/Spurs was outdrawn by Game 3 of the Rangers/Capitals second round Stanley Cup playoff series on NBC Sports Network (1.853M).
Later Wednesday night, Game 2 of the Clippers/Grizzlies series drew a substantially healthier 3.137 million viewers — still down 41% from Hornets/Lakers Game 2 last year (5.352M), but up 3% from Spurs/Mavericks Game 2 in 2010 (3.059M).
Of the first eight primetime NBA playoff games on TNT this year (Sunday-Wednesday), six have had declines in viewership compared to last year.
(Wednesday’s numbers from TV By the Numbers)
