The first weekend of the 2013 NBA Playoffs was a solid draw on ABC.
Game 1 of the Lakers/Spurs first round NBA playoff series earned a 4.6 overnight rating on ABC Sunday afternoon, up 18% from Nuggets/Lakers Game 1 last year (3.9), and even with Hornets/Lakers Game 1 in 2011 (4.6).
The 4.6 overnight is tied as the highest for an opening weekend NBA playoff game on ABC since Lakers/Timberwolves in 2003 (5.1).
Sunday’s overnight is all the more impressive when one considers that Kobe Bryant — out for the year with a torn Achilles — did not play, and the #7 seeded Lakers were not particularly competitive.
On Saturday, Game 1 between the Celtics and Knicks drew a 3.7 overnight — down a tick from Knicks/Heat last year (3.8), and down 5% from Sixers/Heat in 2011 (3.9). Still, the 3.7 is tied as the third-best for the window since the current scheduling format began in 2005.
In other NBA playoff action, ESPN drew a 2.4 overnight for Warriors/Nuggets Game 1, a 2.6 for Bulls/Nets Game 1 (+24%), and a 2.6 for Grizzlies/Clippers Game 1 (-16%). Overnights for TNT games were not available.
(Weekend overnights from Sports Business Daily)
