Lakers’ first game after Kobe’s death brings in high TV rating
The Los Angeles Lakers’ first game since Kobe Bryant’s death was the secondmost watched regular-season NBA game on ESPN.
The game Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers averaged 4.41 million viewers. The only telecast to surpass that since ESPN resumed NBA coverage in 2002-03 was a January 2003 game between the Lakers and Houston Rockets that featured the first matchup between Shaquille O’Neal and Yao Ming (4.88 million).
According to Nielsen, the Bryant pregame ceremony averaged 5.23 million viewers. The audience peaked at 6.07 million between 7:45 p.m. and 8 p.m., which was the conclusion of the ceremony and the start of the game.
By comparison, a game between Houston and the Denver Nuggets scheduled during a similar time slot last year averaged 1.6 million.
The “Hoop Streams” pregame — which was streamed between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. — had a record 2.4 million views, according to the network.
MAVERICKS 112, PACERS 103 >> Kristaps Porzingis had 38 points and 12 rebounds to lead Dallas to a victory over Indiana.
MAGIC 112, HORNETS 100 >>
Nikola Vucevic scored 22 points, Aaron Gordon had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Orlando snapped a five-game skid.
HEAT 137, 76ERS 106 >> Jimmy Butler scored a season-high 38 points against his former team before getting the fourth quarter off, and Miami ran away in the second half to beat Philadelphia.
KNICKS 139, CAVALIERS 134, OT >> Marcus Morris Sr. scored 26 points, including a key jumper in overtime, for New York.
NETS 119, SUNS 97 >> Caris LeVert tied his career high with 29 points in his first start in nearly three months, helping Brooklyn overcome the absence of Kyrie Irving to beat Phoenix.
CELTICS 123, HAWKS 115 >>
Jayson Tatum scored 28 points and Grant Williams drove for a key basket in the final minute, leading Boston past Atlanta.
GRIZZLIES 96, PISTONS 82 >> Jonas Valanciunas had 26 points and 17 rebounds, Dillon Brooks added 15 points and host Memphis beat Detroit to sweep the season series.