Lakers boost NBA’s ratings

Perhaps Mark Cuban had a point when he said the Kobe Bryant case will spur more interest in basketball. Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers have commanded strong ratings this season on TNT and ESPN, helping both post double-digit gains for the NBA to this point.

Through 22 games, ESPN averaged a 1.5 cable rating, up 25 percent from last year's 1.2 as of the same date.

TNT has witnessed a much larger increase, surging past ESPN with a 1.7 average through 16 games, up 42 percent from last year's 1.2.

Cleveland Cavaliers rookie LeBron James has helped push the numbers up, but it's the Lakers who've been the most consistent draw. Three Lakers games on TNT rated a 3.0, 2.7 and 2.5, respectively. ESPN scored a 2.0 and a 2.5 for its two Lakers telecasts.

— Andy Bernstein