Updated: June 18, 2012, 1:36 pm ET

Highest NBA Finals Ratings Since 2004

By HOOPSWORLD
Basketball News & NBA Rumors

Through three games, the 2012 NBA Finals on ABC – Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – is the highest-rated series since 2004 and the second highest-rated ever on ABC based on overnight ratings, according to Nielsen. The Finals is averaging an 11.3 overnight rating, up 5 percent from a 10.8 last year (Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat).

NBA Finals Game 3 – Miami defeated Oklahoma City 91-85 – generated a 10.4 overnight rating, peaking with a 14.7 rating from 10:30 to 10:45 p.m. ET. The game generated a 41.9 rating in Oklahoma City and a 29.6 rating in Miami.

Based on overnight ratings, NBA Finals Game 3 was the highest-rated program of the night (broadcast or cable).

The NBA Finals – Miami leading Oklahoma City 2-1 – will continue with Game 4 on Tuesday, June 20, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN Radio and ESPN3. Kia NBA Countdown will precede the game at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.

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