Despite a lopsided score, Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference Finals hit a series-high on TNT.
Game 5 of the Thunder/Spurs NBA Western Conference Finals earned 6.9 million viewers on TNT Thursday night, down 19% from both Pacers/Heat Game 5 last year and Thunder/Spurs Game 5 in 2012 (8.5M both years). The game ranks as the most-watched of the series and the fifth-most watched of the playoffs.
Thunder/Spurs Game 5 was also the first game of the series to top any game of the Heat/Pacers Eastern Conference Finals on ESPN/ABC. Game 3 of that series had 6.8 million viewers Saturday night.
So far, none of this year’s Spurs/Thunder games has matched the comparable game of the 2012 series. Sunday’s Game 4 came closest, trailing 2012 by only 2% (with the caveat that the 2012 game aired on a Saturday night).
Among adults 18-49, Thursday’s game drew a 2.8 rating — easily the highest of the night on broadcast or cable.
(Thu. numbers from The Futon Critic)
