Even in a lackluster game against a sub-.500 low-profile opponent, the Miami Heat attracted strong numbers on ABC Sunday.
Game 4 of the Heat/Bucks first round NBA playoff series earned a 4.8 overnight rating on ABC, down 9% from Heat/Knicks Game 4 last year (5.3), down 4% from Celtics/Knicks Game 4 in 2011 (5.0), and the 8th-highest overnight for a first round game on ABC since the network resumed airing games in the 2002-03 season (44 telecasts).
Considering the Bucks’ lack of TV appeal, at least when compared to the Celtics and Knicks, Sunday’s game performed quite well.
Locally, Game 4 drew a 17.4 rating in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, tied as the highest ever for a first round NBA playoff game in the market. In Milwaukee, the game drew a 6.3 rating.
Earlier Sunday, Game 4 of the Knicks/Celtics series drew a 4.3 overnight — up 23% from Bulls/Sixers Game 4 last year (3.5), and up 8% from Heat/Sixers Game 4 in 2011 (4.0).
The 4.3 is tied as the third-highest for any early afternoon NBA game on ABC (start time prior to 2 PM ET) since the network resumed airing coverage in 2002, trailing only a Mavericks/Knicks regular season game last year (4.8) and Game 1 of the Nets/Pistons Eastern Conference Finals in 2003 (4.8).
In other NBA action over the weekend, Saturday’s Thunder/Rockets Game 3 drew a 2.5 overnight on ESPN (+32%), while Pacers/Hawks Game 3 earlier in the night drew a 1.5 (n/a). On Friday, Knicks/Celtics Game 3 earned a 2.5 overnight (+25%) and Spurs/Lakers Game 3 earned a 2.4 (-4%).
On ESPN2, Nuggets/Warriors Game 3 drew a 1.3 overnight — up 44% from Bulls/Sixers Game 3 last year (0.9), and the network’s third-highest ever for an NBA playoff game. Only Kings/Mavericks Game 1 in 2003 (1.8) and Pacers/Celtics Game 4 the same year (1.5) drew better numbers.
(Weekend overnights from ESPN)
