With the NBA’s most-watched teams idle, ABC posted decent enough numbers for a Sunday doubleheader.
Sunday’s Jazz-Clippers NBA Playoffs Game 7 earned a 4.2 overnight rating on ABC, down 16% from Blazers-Warriors Game 1 last year (5.0) but up 11% from Grizzlies-Warriors Game 1 in 2015 (3.8). Compared to the last first round Game 7 in the window, Mavericks-Spurs in 2014, overnights fell 14% from a 4.9.
Utah’s drama-free win posted a 14.4 rating in Salt Lake City, the market’s highest ever for a first round game on ABC. That comes with a major caveat — the Jazz have played only one other first round game on the network, Game 1 against the Lakers in 2009.
Earlier in the day, Wizards-Celtics Game 1 had a 3.2 overnight — up a tick from Hornets-Heat Game 7 last year (3.1) and up 23% from Wizards-Hawks Game 1 in 2015 (2.6). The 3.2 is the fourth-lowest ever for a second round game on ABC, ahead of Wizards-Hawks in ’15, Spurs-Clippers Game 3 in 2012 (2.9) and Nets-Cavaliers Game 1 in 2007 (3.0).
The Celtics’ win pulled an 8.4 rating in Boston, the market’s highest for a second round game on ABC since 2011. The game earned a 4.9 rating in Washington D.C., its highest second round rating on ABC since 2012.
(Wknd. numbers from ESPN)
