With the Celtics holding a 3-0 lead entering Sunday’s Game 4, not even the heroics of Dwyane Wade could save the television ratings.
Sunday’s Celtics/Heat Game 4 — won by Miami thanks to Wade’s franchise playoff-record 46 points — drew a 3.1 overnight rating on ABC, down 23% from Celtics/Bulls Game 4 last year (4.0). That Celtics/Bulls series was 2-1 in favor of the Celtics entering Game 4, which went to double-overtime.
The game was also up 3% from Cavaliers/Wizards Game 4 in ’08 (3.0), and down 3% from Bulls/Heat Game 4 in ’07 (3.2).
The second half of Sunday’s doubleheader did far better in the ratings, though it lacked drama.
The Cavaliers’ Game 4 blowout of the Bulls drew a 4.6 overnight, up 5% from Cavaliers/Pistons Game 4 last year (4.4), and up 7% from both Spurs/Suns Game 4 in ’08 (4.3) and Suns/Lakers Game 4 in ’07 (4.3).
The 4.6 overnight is the highest of the playoffs, topping Thunder/Lakers Game 1 the previous Sunday (4.1).
(ESPN)
