Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat earned a 15.0 overnight rating, the highest-rated Game 6 on ABC, according to Nielsen.
Sunday’s closeout game was the third highest overnight rating for an NBA game on ABC, trailing Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals (18.2 overnight rating, Lakers/Celtics) and Game 5 of the 2004 NBA Finals (15.5 overnight rating, Lakers/Pistons). The game peaked with a 20.9 rating from 10:30-10:45 p.m. ET.
Ratings were up 22 percent compared to Game 6 last year (12.3 overnight rating) and up 35 percent compared to Game 6 of the 2006 Finals (11.1 overnight rating), when these same two teams met.
Locally, Game 7 was the highest-rated metered market rating ever for an NBA game in both Dallas (39.8) and Miami (36.2).