It was not a particularly impressive draw, but Game 2 of Bulls/Cavaliers eked out another increase on TNT.
Game 2 of the Bulls/Cavaliers NBA playoff series drew 4.1 million viewers on TNT Wednesday night, up 4% from Wizards/Pacers last year (4.0M) but down 22% from Bulls/Heat in 2013, the last time LeBron James faced Chicago in the playoffs (5.3M). All five games of the 2013 series had a larger audience.
Outside of last year’s Nets/Heat Game 2, which aired on ESPN2 opposite the NFL Draft, Monday’s game was the least-watched second round telecast involving James since Cavaliers/Celtics Game 3 in 2010 (3.7M).
Though low for a series involving James, the Cavaliers’ win was just the eighth playoff game this year to have an increase in viewership (47 telecasts). Viewership has now increased for five of Cleveland’s six playoff games, compared to just three of the 41 non-Cavaliers games.
As was the case Monday, the Clippers/Rockets nightcap actually had a larger audience than Bulls/Cavaliers, but viewership dropped by double-digits. The Rockets’ Game 2 win drew 4.7 million viewers, down 24% from Clippers/Thunder last year (6.2M) and down 11% from Warriors/Spurs in 2013 (5.3M).
(Mon. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily)
