While Miami fans were disappointed with the end result of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the matchup between the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder generated a lot of buzz around the country. The television ratings for Game 1 earned the highest ever rating for an NBA Finals opening game, according to a press release by ESPNMediaZone.com.
The NBA Finals Game 1 on ABC...generated a record 11.8 overnight rating, the highest ever for a Game 1 on the network, according to Nielsen. The game peaked with a 14.1 rating from 11:30 to 11:45 p.m. ET.
The ratings are up 10 percent from last season's NBA Finals Game 1 between the Heat and the Dallas Mavericks. That game drew a 10.7 rating. The previous record for Game 1 ratings was the 2004 Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Detroit Pistons, which drew an 11.6.
Stick with this StoryStream for all your news throughout the 2012 NBA Finals. For more on the Heat, visit Peninsula Is Mightier. For the opponent's perspective throughout the series, visit Welcome To Loud City and SB Nation Kansas City. For all your Finals analysis, visit SB Nation's NBA hub.