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[05/16/18 - 07:51 AM]
NBA on ESPN: Highest-Rated Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 in Six Years
ESPN spins the numbers for Tuesday, May 15.
[via press release from ESPN]

NBA on ESPN: Highest-Rated Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 In Six Years

6.5 Metered Market Rating Up 71 Percent From Same Matchup Last Year

Up 51 Percent from ESPN's Western Conference Finals Game 2 Last Year

Game 2 Peaked with 8.0 Metered Market Rating

ESPN's coverage of the Boston Celtics victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday generated a 6.5 metered market rating, making it the highest-rated Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 since 2012. It was also ESPN's highest-rated Conference Finals telecast since Game 5 of the 2015 Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets series, according to Nielsen.

Last night's Game 2 was up 71 percent from last year's Eastern Conference Finals Game 2, featuring the same matchup. It was also up 51 percent from ESPN's Western Conference Finals Game 2 in 2017.

Tuesday's telecast, in which the Celtics took a 2-0 series lead over the Cavaliers, peaked with an 8.0 metered market rating in the final quarter hour - 10:45 p.m.-11 p.m. ET.

In the Boston market, the game generated a 16.0 rating, making it the highest-rated NBA game on ESPN in the market since the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals. In Cleveland, the telecast generated a 24.4 rating. The rest of the top five markets included Columbus (11.4), Providence (10.9) and San Francisco (9.0).

The Eastern Conference Finals continues with Game 3 on Saturday, May 19, at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN, the ESPN App, ESPN Radio and ESPN Deportes. NBA Countdown presented by Mountain Dew Kickstart tips off the coverage at 7:30 p.m.

In addition, the next installment of Kobe Bryant's Detail will feature the five-time NBA Champion breaking down Game 2 from the vantage point of Boston Celtics rookie sensation Jayson Tatum. The show is expected to be available this Thursday, exclusively on ESPN+.





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