ABC Sees Uptick For Weekend's NBA Conference Semifinal Games

Raptors-Cavs Game 3 was up 10% from comparable Warriors-Jazz Game 3 last yearNBAE/GETTY IMAGES

ABC on Saturday night drew a 4.6 overnight rating for the Cavaliers’ last-second win over the Raptors in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. That figure is the second-best rating for the ’18 NBA Playoffs to date, behind only a 5.4 overnight for Cavs-Pacers Game 7 from the first round. Raptors-Cavs Game 3 was up 10% from comparable Warriors-Jazz Game 3 last year. The telecast peaked at a 6.0 during the final 15 minutes. Cavs-Raptors had competition from Penguins-Capitals Game 5 (2.9 overnight), which had the benefit of a lead-in from the Kentucky Derby. Meanwhile, ABC drew a 4.1 overnight for the Warriors’ blowout win over the Pelicans in their Western Conference Semifinals Game 4 yesterday afternoon, up from a 3.9 for the comparable Cavs-Raptors game last year. On cable TV, the top playoff game over the weekend was Rockets-Jazz Game 4 last night, which drew a 3.4 overnight on TNT.