NBA Christmas Day Schedule Scores Big for ABC & ESPN

The NBA's five-game Christmas Day schedule delivered big numbers for the NBA on ABC and ESPN, based on overnight ratings according to Nielsen. The day was highlighted by the New York Knicks-Los Angeles Lakers game generating a 5.9 overnight rating, the best ever for an ABC Christmas Day game in the early window of a doubleheader. Additionally, Christmas Day 2012 was the highest-rated tripleheader ever on ESPN, averaging a 2.1 rating, up 17 percent from a 1.8 in 2010. (Note: Last year, the NBA on Christmas Day tipped off the 2011-12 NBA regular-season).

New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers (3 p.m. on ABC)

This is the highest overnight rating in this window since 2004.

Generated a 5.9 overnight rating, up 11 percent compared to Boston Celtics-Orlando Magic in 2010 (5.3).

Delivered a 9.2 rating in New York, which is the third best rating for an NBA regular-season game on ABC ever in the market.

Delivered an 11.9 rating in Los Angeles, which is the sixth best rating for an NBA regular-season game on ABC in the market.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Miami Heat (5:30 p.m. on ABC)

Generated a 6.0 overnight rating, making it the fourth highest-rated NBA regular-season game ever on ABC.

Delivered a 23.2 rating in the Oklahoma City, which is the highest-rated NBA regular-season game on ABC ever in the market.

Delivered a 15.9 rating in Miami, which is the highest-rated NBA regular-season game on ABC ever in the market.

Delivered a 10.9 rating in Tulsa, which is the highest-rated NBA regular-season game on ABC ever in the market.

Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 p.m. on ESPN)

Generated a 2.0 overnight rating, up 54 percent compared to Portland Trail Blazers-Golden State Warriors in 2010 (1.3).

This is the second highest-rated ESPN Christmas Day primetime game ever.

Houston Rockets at Chicago Bulls (8 p.m. on ESPN)

Generated a 1.7 overnight rating, up 21 percent compared to Denver Nuggets-Oklahoma City Thunder in 2010 (1.4).

Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets (12 p.m. ET on ESPN)

Generated a 2.7 overnight rating, matching the Chicago Bulls-New York Knicks game in 2010 (2.7).

Delivered a 3.1 rating in Boston, matching the fourth best rating for an NBA regular-season game on ESPN ever in the market.

Delivered a 3.8 rating in Providence, which is the second best rating for an NBA regular-season game on ESPN ever in the market.

Additionally, KIA NBA Countdown, which aired at 2:30 p.m. on ABC, delivered a 2.0 overnight rating, matching the rating from two years ago.

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