LeBron James and the Cavaliers lead the NBA in the standings — and in the ratings.
The Cavaliers averaged an impressive 8.53 rating on FS Ohio through January, up 5% from the comparable point last year, and the highest local rating in the entire NBA.
Last season, the Cavaliers not only led the NBA in local television ratings, but averaged the highest local rating for any team since Michael Jordan‘s Bulls in ’98.
Following the Cavaliers are two of the NBA’s smallest-market teams — the Spurs (6.45 rating on FS Southwest, up 6%), and Jazz (4.60 on FS Utah, up 2%).
The defending champion Lakers are averaging the 4th-highest rating in the league (3.48 on FS West, down 22%). However, due to the size of the Los Angeles market, the team leads the league in average households (197,000).
On the other end of the spectrum lie the 4-46 Nets, whose games on YES Network have averaged a mere 0.32 rating, down 47% from last year, and the lowest average rating in the league.
Doing slightly better are the Clippers (0.47 on FS Prime Ticket, down 6%), Timberwolves (0.76 on FS North, down 35%), and Bobcats (0.88 on FS Carolinas, up 110%).
Though the Bobcats are near the bottom of the league in local television ratings, the 110% increase for their games on FS Carolinas is the largest in the league — easily topping the next-largest increase, a 64% rise for Mavericks games on FS Southwest (2.15).
Four other teams have had ratings increase by at least 30%. The reeling Wizards are averaging a 1.44 on CSN Mid Atlantic (up 53%), the Magic are averaging a 2.08 on Sun Sports (up 40%)*, the Thunder are averaging a 1.74 on FS Oklahoma (up 39%), and the Hawks are averaging a 2.03 on SportSouth (up 35%)*.
* Ratings for Hornets and Kings not included
* The Hawks and Magic each have two local broadcasters. Magic games on FS Florida are averaging a 1.47 rating, down 2% from last year. Hawks games on FS South are averaging a 1.65 rating, up 28%.
