The NBA Playoffs highlights this weekend’s ratings forecast. Also on tap, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, baseball and Formula 1.
First, the Results of Last Week’s Predictions
— The Masters: Third and Final Rounds. Predictions: 4.8 and 7.1; final ratings: 4.3 and 6.8.
— NBA Saturday Primetime: Clippers-Spurs. Prediction: 1.7; final rating: 1.2.
— MLB Sunday Night Baseball: Marlins-Mets. Prediction: 1.1; final rating: 1.1.
— NASCAR Cup Series: Texas. Prediction: 3.3; final rating: 2.7.
— NHL regular season: Capitals-Bruins. Prediction: 0.7; final rating: 0.5.
This Week’s Predictions (All Times ET)
NBA Playoffs: Pacers-Cavaliers Game 1 (3 PM Sat, ABC)
- After a rough second half of the season, both the Cleveland Cavaliers and ABC look to wipe the slate clean entering the playoffs. The Cavaliers’ months-long swoon has given the Eastern Conference playoffs some intrigue (Basketball-Reference has the Raptors as the firm favorite to come out of the East) and their first round series against Paul George and the Pacers does not look easy. The NBA’s TV partners would certainly not mind if the Cavaliers had a tough road to the finals, so long as the road does not end early. Unless Cleveland flips the proverbial ‘switch,’ expect a close game and a solid rating. Last year’s comparable Rockets-Warriors opener set the bar high at a 3.1. Prediction: 2.8.
NBA Playoffs: Blazers-Warriors Game 1 (3:30 PM Sun, ABC)
- Though the Warriors have been established for three years now, this is the first time they have gotten the plum timeslot on the opening weekend of the playoffs. Since 2003, the NBA’s highest rating on the opening weekend was a 3.7 for New Orleans-Lakers in 2011. Expect Sunday’s game to challenge that mark. Prediction: 3.6.
NBA Playoffs: Bulls-Celtics & Thunder-Rockets (6:30 & 9 PM Sun, TNT)
- TNT has a pair of glamour series to close out the weekend, with a big market battle of the Bulls and Celtics and a clash of MVP candidates between the Thunder and Rockets. Expect a big jump over last year’s comparable games, Hornets-Heat (1.9) and Grizzlies-Spurs (2.4). Predictions: 2.2 and 2.7.
Stanley Cup Playoffs: Predators-Blackhawks Game 2 (8 PM Saturday, NBC)
- Considering Saturday Night Live’s prominence this season, NBC is taking a real risk putting the Stanley Cup Playoffs in primetime on the night of a new episode. Will the Predators and Blackhawks make it worth their while? NBC’s three previous primetime first round games drew ratings of 1.4 (twice) and 1.6, not bad but nothing special either. That includes a Predators-Blackhawks Game 6 two years ago (1.4). Expect more of the same this time. Prediction: 1.4.
MLB Sunday Night Baseball: Cardinals-Yankees (8 PM Sunday, ESPN)
- The Cubs have supplanted the Yankees as baseball’s top television draw, but New York can still move the needle. Facing the Cardinals in a matchup of two storied franchises, expect ESPN to score a modest bump in ratings over last year’s Giants-Dodgers game (1.1). Prediction: 1.2.
Formula 1: Bahrain (11 AM Sunday, CNBC)
- Bahrain has traditionally been one of the top Formula 1 races on NBCSN, scoring a 0.4 rating in each of the past three years, but a channel change could take a toll on this year’s race. While CNBC is in more homes than NBCSN, it is not a traditional destination for sporting events. Even the other major racing series taking the weekend off, expect a decline. Prediction: 0.2.
Readers are prohibited from transmitting, framing, reproducing, distributing or copying images used in this article.
