Posted on 05/31/2019 8:23:21 AM PDT by EdnaMode
The opening matchup of the 2019 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors made history last night, in more ways than one.
Played before a sellout crowd in The 6, including one former Prime Minister and a very passionate Drake, Game 1 of this year’s championship series was the first to been played outside the U.S. and the first NBA Finals game to see a non-American team win. The Raptors’ 118-109 victory over the reigning champs showed that this battle for the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy isn’t going to be a walk for Steph Curry and the Warriors.
With a 10.1/19 in metered market ratings for Thursday’s 9-11:45 PM ET game, this year’s NBA Finals are certainly not going to be a walk for ABC, either. Those numbers are off a hard 18% from Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals in the early metrics.
In fact, with only one U.S. market team in competition, this year’s opener is the worst any Game 1 has performed in metered-market ratings in a decade, dipping just below the results of Game 1 in 2009, when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the visiting Orlando Magic on June 1 of that year.
Also shown on the Disney-owned network, that Game 1 in the far-off TV era of 2009 went on to earn 13.04 million viewers. Steady with 2017, Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals pulled in an audience of nearly 17.4 million as the Warriors topped the then LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers 124-114 in overtime on May 31 of that year.
Will Warriors fatigue also become a factor in this year’s finals? Sunday’s Game 2 could shed more light on that for a team that has been in the NBA title series every year since 2015.
In the meantime, we’ll update later with more NBA Finals ratings plus CBS’ Elementary, Fox’s Paradise Hotel and more that was also on TV on Thursday. Until then, check out some of the best of the action from up North last night:
Dynasties are boring. It’s just that simple.
Only slightly off-topic ...
the Women’s World Cup of Soccer starts in a few days in France. The USWNT is expected to show well possibly even win it all.
—First time in 365 days that a pro sport’s final playoff or deciding championship game does not involve a
Boston team
—St Louis Blues win vs Bruins the other night was the first Stanley Cup final win in team history.Started in 67 and were swept in Cup Finals in 68, 69, and 70
NBA died years ago.
And the Celtics were one win away last year from making the Finals.
I haven’t watched the NBA since Bird, Magic, Dr. J, Moses Malone, etc.
The current @sswipes can go to hell.... the players AND coaches.
I had season tickets for the Lakers during their heyday of Kareem/Magic/Worthy years, today, I didn't even know who was playing in the Championship.
I can’t stand Curry.
I somewhat liked LeBron... until he started running his mouth off about Trump and Republicans.
The Cricket World Cup is going on now.
The raptors 76ers series was incredible and went down to the final shot in game seven
I’m hoping for the same thing in this final series and it looks like we’re going to get it
The Warriors are incredible but remember when LeBron finally won one for Cleveland and it was in game seven and it went down to him blocking one final shot it was incredibly dramatic
That’s what basketball is all about the final five minutes or two minutes
And in the major sports - game seven!
I for one am greatly looking forward to this series - I think the raptors are a great team and the Warriors are obviously incredible and so anything can happen!
NBA ping ! Sports don’t have no affirmative action !
I don’t know what game you were watching but the building was sold out and thousands were standing outside the Arena watching big screen...what is it with some of you Yankee doodles that think Canada is still some kinda backwoods inhabited with dudes wearing beaver hats with funny accents chasing a moose.The game was terrific well played and was invented by a Canadian named Naismith.
It’s funny you bring that up because this year’s Stanley Cup finals is more or less USA vs Canada!
St. Louis Blues: 19 Canadians, 3 Americans.
Boston Bruins: 14 Americans, 4 Canadians, although as I understand it (I’m not a huge hockey fan) the Canadians who play for the Bruins are much more important to the team.
Anyway, thought that was interesting.
Living in the Bay Area I was a Warrior fan until Curry and the Kerr (coach) got on the anti-Trump train.
Haven’t watched them since and I hope they lose.
Warriors:
Curry - 34 PTS, 40 Min.
Thompson - 21 PTS, 39 Min.
Raptors:
Siakam - 32 PTS, 40 Min.
Leonard - 23 PTS, 43 Min.
Gasol - 20 PTS, 30 Min.
Van Vleet - 15 PTS, 33 Min.
(I omitted Lowry with 7 PTS, 36 Min)
Looking at it from a performance standpoint, the Warriors are in trouble if they have to rely on Curry and Thompson for the whole series, because it doesn't appear that there is someone else right now who can step up and take up the slack should either or both have a down night.
Siakam, Leonard, Gasol, and Van Vleet split the effort, and to me, Lowry has the most potential to step up and contribute in a future game (Unless there is an injury that is not apparent.)
Well said. I hope Toronto wins.
So much for all that talk that they are actually better without Durant.
The game that was on last night between the Warriors and Raptors, first quarter, Curry playing with his mouthpiece. That game.
what is it with some of you Yankee doodles that think Canada is still some kinda backwoods inhabited with dudes wearing beaver hats with funny accents chasing a moose.
How does my saying there were empty seats lead you to inferring I think this about Canadians?
If it’s the first quarter there may very well have been empty seats because of the security.
If you don’t get to the venue at least an hour before the game, odds are you won’t make it through the security in time to catch the start of the game.
that is the irony ..the NBA is a basketball league which employs the most skilled players in the world, primarily American and true fans could care less about their nationality. Canadians embrace them as their own because of their skill and do not give a damn about the politics, yet many arrogant Americans seem to enjoy scoffing and insulting Canada and Canadians with negative stereotyping. A Canadian is credited with inventing the game so they are proud to see it as a top notch international sporting activity..after the USA, Canadian born players are the second largest international contingent.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.