With the Warriors’ 19-point rout 14 points closer than last year, Game 2 of the NBA Finals bounced back in the metered markets.
Sunday’s Cavaliers-Warriors NBA Finals Game 2 earned a 12.7 overnight rating on ABC, up 8% from last year (11.8) but down 2% from 2015 (12.9), both of which featured the same two teams. The 12.7 is the second-highest Game 2 overnight since Sixers-Lakers in 2001 (14.5), trailing only 2015.
The Warriors’ easy win peaked at a 14.7 from 10-10:15 PM ET, up 10% from last year’s peak of 13.2 from 9-9:15 and 10-10:15, but down 14% from the 2015 peak of 16.9 from 11-11:15.
Game 2 increased 2% over Thursday’s series opener (12.4). Last year, overnights fell 10% from Game 1 to Game 2. In 2015, they held steady.
Cleveland led all markets Sunday with a 32.4 rating, up 1% from last year (32.1) but down 23% from the Cavaliers’ win in 2015 (42.1). The Bay Area turned in a 31.1, down 3% from last year (32.1) and down 2% from 2015 (31.7). While Cleveland was up only 1%, ratings increased 30% in nearby Columbus, Ohio (from 15.0 to 19.5). Miami-Ft. Lauderdale (17.7, +11%) and Memphis (17.5, +17%) rounded out the top five.
[Sun. numbers from ESPN PR 6.5]
