Game 2 of the NBA Finals was off from last year, but still drew strong ratings on ABC Sunday night.
The Lakers’ overtime win over the Magic drew a 9.9 overnight on ABC Sunday night, down 3% from a 10.2 for Lakers/Celtics Game 2 in ’08, but up 43% from a 6.9 for Cavaliers/Spurs Game 2 in ’07. The 9.9 overnight rating is the third-best for Game 2 of the NBA Finals since ’03.
This marks the first time since ’04 that Game 2 of the NBA Finals drew a higher overnight than Game 1. Coincedentally, Game 2 in ’04 also went to overtime.
Through two games, the Magic/Lakers NBA Finals is averaging a 9.4 overnight rating on ABC, down 9% from a 10.3 through two games last year, but up 28% from a 7.3 through two games in ’07.
On the strength of the NBA Finals, ABC easily won Sunday night in total viewers and in the adults 18-49 demo.
