Celtics-Cavs TV rating for Game 7 ties ESPN record
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LeBron James draws a massive audience when he breaks the hearts of Celtics fans.
The Cavaliers’ 87-79 victory over the Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals Sunday night tied as the highest-rated NBA game ever on ESPN, the network announced.
The 9.1 metered market rating tied the record for Game 7 of the 2012 Eastern Conference finals, when James and the Heat eliminated the Celtics.
Viewership peaked in the 10:45-11 p.m. window, earning a 12.0 rating. Per ESPN, it is the highest-rated quarter-hour of any NBA telecast as far as its ratings go back.
Boston was the second-highest-rated local market (21.9), trailing Cleveland (27.6).
Overall, the Cavs-Celtics series averaged a 6.3 rating for seven games, up 37 percent from the same matchup last year.
