Second verse same as the first.
Sunday’s Cavaliers-Warriors NBA Finals Game 2 had a 12.7 overnight rating on ABC, down a tick from last year (12.8*) but up 8% from 2016 (11.8), which featured the same matchup.
Golden State’s blowout win, which peaked at a 15.0 from 10:15-10:30 PM ET, delivered the third-highest Game 2 overnight since 2001 (Sixers-Lakers: 14.5). Last year and 2015 (Cavs-Warriors: 12.9) hold the top spots.
The Cleveland-Golden State matchup accounts for four of top six Game 2 overnights over that span. The two exceptions are Heat-Thunder in 2012 (11.8) and Nets-Lakers on NBC in 2002 (12.3).
Both games in this year’s series have posted a slight decline in the metered markets, with Thursday’s Game 1 also down a tick (from 12.4 to 12.3).
The Bay Area turned in a 33.3 rating Sunday night, up 7% from last year (31.1) and up 4% from 2016 (32.1). It was the market’s highest for a Game 2. Cleveland had a 32.7, up 1% from last year (32.4), up 2% from 2016 (32.1), and its top Game 2 since 2016 (42.1).
Memphis was the top neutral market at a 19.3 (+10%). Secondary markets Columbus, Ohio (18.9, -3%) and Sacramento (18.8, +21%) rounded out the top five.
* At this time last year, the Game 2 overnight was reported as a 12.7.
[Numbers from ESPN PR/Twitter 6.4]
