In the post-Heat era, the Warriors have become the undisputed champions of the ratings game.
Game 1 of the Blazers/Warriors NBA playoff series delivered a 4.1 final rating and 6.7 million viewers on ABC last Sunday, up 37% in ratings and 41% in viewership from Grizzlies/Warriors Game 1 last year (3.0, 4.7M) and down 2% and up 3%, respectively, from Mavericks/Spurs Game 7 in 2014 (4.2, 6.5M).
Golden State’s blowout win ranks as the highest rated and most-watched second round opener on any network in four years, since Pacers/Heat in 2012 (4.4, 7.0M). Since the current television contract began in the 2002-03 season, only three second round openers have had a larger audience — Pacers/Heat in ’12, Celtics/Heat in 2011 (9.2M) and Lakers/Spurs in 2003 (7.3M).
Sunday’s game also ranks as the second-most watched of the playoffs, with the Warriors having played in three of the top four and five of the top seven.
Earlier in the day, Hornets/Heat Game 7 had a 2.5 and 3.8 million — up 19% in ratings and 24% in viewership from Wizards/Hawks Game 1 last year (2.1, 3.0M) but down 19% and 21%, respectively, from Nets/Raptors Game 7 in 2014 (3.1, 4.8M).
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily)
