Second-Highest Rated NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 Ever on ESPN

ESPN's coverage of the Cleveland Cavaliers decisive victory over the Boston Celtics on Saturday night became the network's second-highest rated NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 ever, according to Nielsen. The telecast drew a 5.1 metered market rating, up 11 percent from ESPN's Western Conference Finals Game 3 last year, and up two percent from the same Eastern Conference Finals matchup in 2017.

Despite Cleveland's dominating 30-point victory over Boston, the telecast peaked with a 5.7 metered market rating three times: 9:15-9:30 p.m. ET, 10-10:15 p.m. and 10:15-10:30 p.m. The top five local markets were Cleveland (22.1), Boston (11.9), Columbus (9.7), Dayton (8.2), and Providence (8.0).

Through three games, ESPN's Eastern Conference Finals coverage is up 19 percent from its Western Conference Finals coverage - Golden State vs. San Antonio - in 2017. It is up 27 percent from last year's Cleveland vs. Boston Eastern Conference Finals series. Metered market ratings for the 2018 NBA Playoffs on ESPN are up seven percent year over year.

Additionally, Saturday night's edition of NBA COUNTDOWN delivered a 1.3 metered market rating, up eight percent from last year's one-hour Game 3 preview show.

The latest episode of Detail, the high-level basketball analysis and film study show from ESPN and Kobe Bryant, will be available today (Sunday) exclusively on ESPN+. Bryant will break down last night's Game 3.

The 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals will continue with Game 4 on Monday, May 21, at 8:30 p.m. Mike Breen will provide commentary with analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson and reporter Doris Burke. The telecast is also available to stream via the ESPN App. Boston currently leads Cleveland 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

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