The rematch of last year’s NBA Finals got off to a slower start in the overnights.
Game 1 of the Heat/Spurs NBA Finals earned a 10.4 overnight rating on ABC Thursday night, down 2% from the same match-up last year (10.6), down 12% from Heat/Thunder Game 1 in 2012 (11.8), and tied with Celtics/Lakers in 2010 as the lowest Game 1 overnight in five years.
The 10.4 overnight is the third-highest for a Game 1 of the NBA Finals involving the Spurs (six telecasts), trailing only last year and Knicks/Spurs in 1999 (11.7). With that said, the 10.4 is the second-lowest for Game 1 involving the Heat (five telecasts), ahead of only Heat/Mavericks in 2006 (9.3).
Thursday’s game drew a 30.5 rating in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, down 10% from last year (34.0) and even with 2012 (30.5). The game drew a 40.4 in San Antonio, up 14% from last year (35.3) but down 8% from Cavaliers/Spurs in 2007 (43.7).
(Thu. overnight from ESPN Media Zone)
