Through two games, this is shaping up to be an epic NBA finals.
And people are tuning in — for the second straight contest Game 2 drew the largest Game 2 audience since 2004. That is to say, the biggest ratings since the Shaq/Kobe Lakers.
Game 2 drew an overnight rating of 11.8 according to ESPN, which is up 12 percent compared to last year’s Game 2 (Miami vs. Dallas). Through two games the finals overnight ratings average this season is an 11.8, up 11 percent from last year.
Which just goes to show the NBA is a star-driven league — Miami is a midsized market and OKC is small (45th biggest television market in the nation), but the stars are big and drawing in viewers.
Game 2 drew a massive 44.4 rating in Oklahoma City, the biggest rating ever for an NBA game in that city. Miami drew an impressive 30.3.
The way both of these games have had dramatic finishes, Game 3 Sunday night in Miami could see even bigger numbers. If, really when, this series gets to Game 6 and 7 it could be the biggest ratings since the Jordan era.