With the caveat that it had a low bar to pass, Sunday’s snoozer between the Lakers and Cavaliers scored an increase on ABC.
The Lakers/Cavaliers NBA regular season game drew a 2.7 overnight rating on ABC, up 13% from Bulls/Lakers last year (2.4) but down 46% from Lakers/Heat in 2013 (5.0). Both this year and last, Kobe Bryant was absent due to injury.
The 2.7 overnight is ABC’s second-lowest for a game pitting LeBron James against the Lakers, ahead of only regional coverage opposite the NCAA Tournament in 2006 (1.9). Every other meeting between James’ team and the Lakers topped a 3.0.
The Cavaliers’ blowout win was the highest rated sporting event of the weekend in the metered markets, edging final round coverage of the PGA Tour at Torrey Pines (2.5).
Earlier in the day, Clippers/Thunder drew a 2.0 overnight — down 17% from Knicks/Thunder last year (2.4) and down 31% from Clippers/Knicks in 2013 (2.9). The 2.0 overnight matches the lowest for an NBA game on ABC since April 2011.
(Sun. overnights via Sports Business Daily)
