Lakers, Celtics deliver expected high TV ratings

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The NHL is bragging about its television ratings so far through the Stanley Cup finals between Chicago and Philadelphia, but the NBA ratings aren’t too shabby either.

For the broadcasts of the first two games between Los Angeles and Boston, ABC is averaging 14,912,000 viewers and an 8.9 rating, the highest two-game average since 2004 (Pistons-Lakers). The NBA Finals’ ratings are up 10% over the first two games of the 2009 Finals.

Sunday’s Game 2 delivered 15,718,000 viewers (up 12% from 14,061,000 last year) and a 9.2 rating (up 12% from the 2009 rating of 8.2). Sunday’s ABC broadcast is the most-viewed and highest-rated Game 2 since 2004.

For both evenings, the Finals have provided ABC with the highest-rated and most-viewed broadcast of the night and have propelled the network to win the night in prime time.

-- Diane Pucin