NBA on pace
for best finals since 2004
Heat-Mavericks averaging 15.54 million total viewers
By Louisa Ada Seltzer
Jun 9, 2011
With close games and popular players, this year's Miami Heat-Dallas Mavericks NBA finals on ABC are on pace to be the highest rated since 2004, outpacing even last year's Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics matchup.
Through four games, the series is averaging 15.54 million total viewers, according to Nielsen, up 20,000 over last year.
Among adults 18-49, the series is averaging a 6.4 rating, up 0.1 from last year.
The big question now is whether viewership will rise further over the next few games. The two squads are tied at 2-2, ensuring that the series will go at least six games.
ABC has to be hoping that the series will go seven games, just like last year, which led to enormous ratings for the final game.
Thus far it's been a very evenly matched series, with the margins of victory just a few points.
There are a number of reasons for the high ratings, the foremost being the presence of the Heat. During last year's offseason, LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined Dwayne Wade on the team, forming the NBA's most formidable trio in years.
Of course they also ticked off just about everyone but Heat fans with their bravado and promises of bringing championships to South Beach, but it seems they may deliver.
It's also been a big year for the NBA generally. TNT aired its most-watched year in more than three decades of broadcasting the sport, and earlier rounds of the postseason saw a big bump over last year.
Game five of the finals airs tonight at 9 p.m. on ABC.
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