Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals was not as big of a draw as Game 1, but still drew impressive numbers on ESPN Thursday night.
The Nuggets’ close win over the Lakers drew a 4.9 U.S. rating (5.7 cable) and 7.9 million viewers on ESPN Thursday night, up 26% in ratings and 38% in viewership from a 3.9 and 5.7 million for Pistons/Celtics Game 2 on the comparable night last year. Compared to Game 2 of last year’s West Finals, Nuggets/Lakers was up 32% and 43%, respectively, from a 3.7 and 5.5 million for Spurs/Lakers Game 2 on TNT.
Game 2 finished as the second-most viewed basketball game (college or pro) ever on ESPN, behind only Nuggets/Lakers Game 1 on Tuesday, and ahead of Lakers/Rockets Game 6 last week.
The Nuggets’ victory drew a 16.3 in Denver, the highest rating ever for an ESPN/ABC NBA game in the market, breaking a record set on Tuesday. In Los Angeles, the game drew a 14.2 rating, the best ever for an NBA Playoff game on ESPN in the market, also breaking a record set Tuesday.
Through two games, the 2009 Western Conference Finals has averaged a 5.0 U.S. rating and 8 million viewers on ESPN, up 32% in ratings and 43% in viewers from a 3.8 and 5.6 million for the first two games of last year’s East Finals, which also aired on ESPN. Compared to the first two games of last year’s West Finals on TNT, Nuggets/Lakers is up 28% in ratings and 36% in viewers.
For the postseason, ESPN is averaging a 2.7 U.S. rating and 4.0 million viewers, up 7 in households and 10% in viewers from last year. ESPN is currently on pace to have its most viewed NBA Playoffs ever.
