It’s been true since day 1 of the season, and it’s still true through the Finals: a lot of people are tuning in to watch the Heat play basketball.
According to a press release distributed by ESPN and ABC, the Finals are averaging 15.3 million viewers through three games, which is the highest average number of viewers per game since Shaq, Kobe, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton fell to the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 Finals.
Considering that most of America still does not know who Dirk Nowitzki is, most of the credit for these huge ratings has to go to the Heat, who have been attracting eyeballs all year long. With a lockout looming, these huge ratings have to be seen as a good sign for people who want to see all 82 games played next season, whether they’re watching the Heat hoping to see them win or hoping to see them fall flat on their faces.
