Despite featuring two of the most obsessively covered franchises in recent history, the Knicks/Heat NBA playoff series got off to fairly mediocre start Saturday afternoon.
Game 1 of the Knicks/Heat NBA playoff series drew a 3.8 overnight rating on ABC Sunday afternoon, down a tick from Sixers/Heat Game 1 last year (3.9), but up 15% from Bulls/Cavaliers Game 1 in 2010 (3.3).
The 3.8 is the second-highest for the NBA on ABC on the first Saturday of the playoffs since the network acquired rights to the league in 2002, behind only last year.
Game 1 was not even the highest rated Knicks/Heat game of the year in the metered markets. The teams’ February 23 meeting on TNT drew a 4.0 overnight.
The last time the Knicks and Heat met in the NBA Playoffs (2000), Game 1 of the series drew a 6.0 overnight on NBC. The last time the teams met in the first round (1999), Game 1 drew a 4.5 on NBC.
On Sunday, Game 1 between the Nuggets and Lakers drew a 3.9 overnight, down 15% from Hornets/Lakers Game 1 last year (4.6), and down 5% from Thunder/Lakers Game 1 in 2010 (4.1). The 3.9 is tied as the lowest for the NBA on ABC on the first Sunday of the playoffs since Nets/Heat Game 1 in 2005 (3.6).
Overnight Ratings For the First Weekend of the NBA Playoffs on Broadcast
Dating back to 2001
(ABC since 2003, NBC in 2001 and 2002)
| Year | Saturday | Sunday | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Away | Home | Rating | Time | Away | Home | Rating | |
| 2012 | 3:30 PM | Knicks | Heat |
3.8
|
3:30 PM | Nuggets | Lakers |
3.9
|
| 2011 | 3:30 PM | Sixers | Heat |
3.9
|
3:30 PM | Hornets | Lakers |
4.6
|
| 2010 | 3 PM | Bulls | Cavs |
3.3
|
3 PM | Thunder | Lakers |
4.1
|
| 2009 | 3 PM | Pistons | Cavs |
2.7
|
3 PM | Jazz | Lakers |
4.0
|
| 2008 | 3 PM | Suns | Spurs |
3.7
|
3 PM | Nuggets | Lakers |
3.9
|
| 2007 | 3 PM | Heat | Bulls |
2.8
|
3 PM | Lakers | Suns |
3.9
|
| 2006 | 3 PM | Wizards | Cavs |
2.7
|
3 PM | Lakers | Suns |
4.0
|
| 2005 | 3 PM | 76ers | Pistons |
2.7
|
3 PM | Nets | Heat |
3.6
|
| 2004 |
no game
|
3:30 PM | Mavs | Kings |
3.9
|
|||
| 2003 |
no game
|
3 PM | Lakers | Wolves |
5.1
|
|||
| 2002 | 12:30 PM | Pacers | Nets |
3.1
|
12:30 PM | 76ers | Celtics |
4.7
|
| 3 PM | Jazz | Kings |
4.1
|
3 PM | Wolves | Mavs |
5.2
|
|
| 5:30 PM | Sonics | Spurs |
4.3
|
5:30 PM | Blazers | Lakers |
7.2
|
|
| 2001 | 12:30 PM | Pacers | Sixers |
3.7
|
12:30 PM | Raptors | Knicks |
4.3
|
| 3 PM | Mavs | Jazz |
4.2
|
3 PM | Suns | Kings |
5.2
|
|
| 5:30 PM | Wolves | Spurs |
4.5
|
5:30 PM | Blazers | Lakers |
6.7
|
|
(This weekend’s numbers from Sports Business Daily)
