Celtics-Heat Game 4 Sets Cable Record

ESPN's 7.9 overnight rating is best for NBA playoff game on cable

By Andrea Morabito -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/4/2012 1:08:01 PM

Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on ESPN Sunday night -- which saw the Boston Celtics defeat the Miami Heat in overtime -- delivered a 7.9 overnight rating, the best for a NBA playoff game on cable since records began in 2003, according to Nielsen.

The game, which evened the series 2-2, peaked with a 10.7 rating during overtime. In Boston, the telecast drew a 20.7 rating, the highest ever for an NBA playoff game in the market, and a 19.8 rating in Miami, which ranked as the third-highest in that market.

Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals is on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN, with the Finals airing on ABC starting June 12.