Despite relatively low numbers, TNT managed to eke out an increase for Game 2 of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals.
Game 2 of the Cavaliers/Hawks NBA Eastern Conference Finals drew a 4.6 overnight rating on TNT Friday night, up 5% from Thunder/Spurs last year (4.4). Overnights for Pacers/Heat Game 2 in 2013 were not available. Compared to last year’s Heat/Pacers Game 2 on ESPN, overnights declined 25% from a 5.9.
The 4.6 overnight is a full point lower than the 5.6 for Wednesday’s Game 1. That is no surprise given the Friday night timeslot and less competitive nature of the game.
Barring an unusually small drop from the overnight to the final rating, Friday’s game is likely to finish as the lowest rated Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals since at least 2008. Currently, the lowest rating over that span is a 4.4 for Magic/Cavaliers in 2009 and Pacers/Heat in 2013 — both of which also aired on Friday nights.
Cleveland was the top market for the Cavaliers’ win with a 29.0 rating, down 8% from Game 1 (31.4). In Atlanta, the game had a 10.9 rating — down 29% from the opener (15.4).
