The second game of the NBA Finals hit a four-year low in the overnights, but was still more-than-respectable for a series involving the Spurs.
Game 2 of the Spurs/Heat NBA Finals drew a 10.2 overnight rating on ABC, down 14% from Heat/Thunder Game 2 last year (11.8), and down 3% from Mavericks/Heat Game 2 in 2011 (10.5).
The 10.2 is the lowest overnight for any NBA Finals game since Game 5 of Lakers/Magic in 2009 (9.4). With that said, the 10.2 is only slightly below the previous four-year mark of 10.4, set on multiple occasions.
Last year’s lone Sunday night NBA Finals game, Game 3 between the Thunder and Heat, drew a 10.4 overnight. Of course, that game aired opposite the final round of the U.S. Open.
Though low compared to recent years, Sunday’s overnight was the highest ever for a Game 2 of the NBA Finals involving the Spurs. Even Knicks/Spurs Game 2 in 1999 drew only a 10.0 overnight — albeit on a low-rated Friday night.
Locally, Game 2 drew a 29.7 rating in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale — down 2% from Heat/Thunder Game 2 last year (30.3), and down 16% from Mavericks/Heat Game 2 in 2011 (35.3).
The numbers continue to underwhelm in San Antonio. Game 2 drew just a 32.7 in the market, down 24% from Cavaliers/Spurs Game 2 in 2007 (42.9), and down 25% from Pistons/Spurs Game 2 in 2005 (43.4).
Overnight Ratings For Game 2 of the NBA Finals
Involving the Spurs
(Sunday’s numbers from ESPN Media Zone)
