For the exhaustive levels of hype the Knicks/Celtics series has received, the other potential 3-0 comeback in the NBA Playoffs has been a much better draw.
Game 5 of the Rockets/Thunder first round NBA playoff series drew 4.5 million viewers on TNT Wednesday night, up 12% from Clippers/Grizzlies Game 5 last year (4.0M), and up 5% from Nuggets/Thunder Game 5 in 2011 (4.3M).
The game ranks as the second-most viewed of the playoffs on cable, trailing only Bucks/Heat Game 1 (4.9M).
Overall, the Rockets/Thunder series accounts for three of the five highest rated playoff games on cable this season.
Earlier Wednesday night, Game 5 between the Celtics and Knicks drew 3.5 million viewers — down 16% from Knicks/Heat Game 5 last year (4.1M), and down 4% from Sixers/Heat Game 5 in 2011 (3.6M).
(Wednesday numbers from The Futon Critic)
