The Eastern Conference Finals got off to a good start on TNT, if a bit low for a LeBron James series.
Game 1 of the Cavaliers/Hawks NBA Eastern Conference Finals drew a 5.6 overnight rating on TNT Wednesday night, up 12% from Thunder/Spurs last year (5.0) but down 11% from Pacers/Heat in 2013 (6.3). Compared to Heat/Pacers Game 1 last year, which aired on ABC, overnights declined 3% from a 5.8.
The 5.6 overnight is the second-lowest for a conference final opener involving LeBron James (seven telecasts), ahead of only Cavaliers/Pistons Game 1 in 2007 — his first conference final game (3.5). Since James’ first year with the Miami Heat, when Heat/Bulls Game 1 drew a 7.4, overnights dropped for each successive conference final opener involving his team.
The 5.6 is also the third-lowest for a conference final opener on TNT since 2008, ahead of only Thunder/Spurs last year and Suns/Lakers in 2010 (5.3).
Cleveland was the top market for Wednesday’s game with a 31.4 rating, up 15% from the Cavaliers’ last conference final opener against the Magic in 2009 (27.2). The game had a 15.4 in Atlanta.
