The NBA Finals continue to draw solid ratings for ABC, yet they're still down from previous years. Sunday's Game 5 picked up an 11.4 overnight rating, which was down 10% from Game 5 of the Finals in both 2012 (Heat-Thunder) and 2011 (Heat-Mavericks), both of which drew a 12.6 overnight. It's also the lowest rating for a Game 5 since 2009's Lakers-Magic matchup, which drew a 9.4 overnight.

Locally, the ratings are also down from prior years. Game 5 in San Antonio drew a 37.6 rating, which is down 16% from Game 5 of 2005's Spurs-Pistons series (45.0 overnight), and down 13% from the series-high of 43.7 in Game 4. In Miami, the game drew a rather low 28.8 rating, the lowest thusfar of the series and down 29% from the Game 5 clincher last year (40.3) and down 12% from Game 5 in 2011 (32.7).

Father's Day could be blamed for the low ratings, though the final round of the US Open was only down single digits from last year and was up 20% from 2011. The stigma of "boring team" is still firmly affixed to the Spurs, and the blowouts that have taken place in four of the final five games of the series aren't too much to draw in casual fans. However, the disappointing performance by the NBA Finals this year is something that any other major sport aside from the NFL would graciously take.

[Sports Media Watch]

About Joe Lucia

I hate your favorite team. I also sort of hate most of my favorite teams.

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