The NBA ratings are ​in need of a boost after the regular season's Nielsen viewership numbers took a bit of a tumble in 2018-19. Luckily for the league office, as well as for fans looking for an entertaining series, the Western Conference semifinals has brought entertainment that both the NBA and its consumers can unite behind. Warriors-Rockets Games 4, 5 Most Watched First/Second Round Games On Cable Since 2012 https://t.co/Va7IryAy4W — RealGM (@RealGM) May 10, 2019 Monday's Game 4 attracted 6.88 million viewers, with Wednesday's ​Game 5 right behind with 6.77 million. Both are the highest-rated games since Game 6 of the 2012 Conference semifinals between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers, which resulted in a 105-93 Heat win en route to LeBron James' first league championship. Saturday night’s Western Conference Playoffs game between the Warriors and Rockets was the highest-rated primetime NBA Conference Semifinals game broadcast since 2011.https://t.co/cOTdT8T23n — theGrio.com (@theGrio) May 6, 2019 It's no secret that over the past two seasons Warriors vs. Rockets has had a Finals-like feel to it. The two teams have been among the best, and most importantly, arguably the two most fun to watch in recent seasons, with fast-paced shooting battles and star-centric iso ball being main attractions. And while the league's bigwigs may have preferred to see the matchup take place in the Conference Finals, they have the luxury of being able to deliver fans a blockbuster series early in the postseason, something fans have voted on positively with their remotes.<doc-sep>ABC generated its highest-rated primetime NBA Conference Semifinals game broadcast since 2011 on Saturday, according to Nielsen. ABC’s coverage of the Houston Rockets victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinals series was up 20 percent from last year’s comparable window. It averaged a 5.5 metered market rating and peaked with a 7.3 rating from 11-11:15 p.m. ET. In the San Francisco-Oakland market, where the Warriors are based, the broadcast delivered an 18.2 rating, while in the Houston market, the telecast delivered an 11.8 rating. Through six games, ESPN and ABC’s NBA Conference Semifinals coverage is averaging a 4.1 metered market rating, up 21 percent from last season. It was ESPN’s second consecutive night of posting significant ratings increases for its NBA Playoffs coverage. ABC’s coverage of the 2019 NBA Playoffs continues today when the Philadelphia 76ers host the Toronto Raptors in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series.<doc-sep>Nobody's Supposed To Be Here by Katie Heindl Championship teams come apart. Kevin Love and the Cavs both went on grasping at the pieces that were better off burning up in a return to the atmospheric realities of a league that, healthy or not, never stops. It's Always Better To Try by Colin McGowan The Knicks are exploring the outer limits of what a not-great team can do when they play really hard every night. That counts for a lot, especially in a sleepy pandemic season. The Memeification Of Paul George by Rafael Canton It's not so much that Paul George has lost in the playoffs, but it's also the way that he's lost. There's still time for George to change his story.<doc-sep>HOUSTON -- It has all the makings of a rivalry for the ages, whether the outcome of the series between the Warriors and the Rockets backs it up or not. It has some spicy modern history, requiring no more than a glance back less than 12 months ago to the epic, seven-game, Western Conference Finals showdown that Golden State won en route to its second consecutive NBA title. There are big characters, elite players, juicy story lines and the reality that the victor will immediately be installed as the overwhelming favorite to win this year's championship. And there is acrimony over everything from fouling to flopping, making it seem like the red stuff seeping from James Harden’s eyes is not the only type of bad blood coursing through this slugfest. Or maybe not? While the Warriors and Rockets do a pretty darn good job of making it seem like they can’t stand each other one minute, at other times relations are remarkably and confusingly cordial. Just as you get Steve Kerr dramatically flopping into a group of reporters to poke fun at Harden and his penchant for exaggerating contact, there was Kevin Durant, in a stunning turn of events this week, defending the primary scorer for the Rockets and effusing respect. “I don’t think that he’s been cheating the game at all,” Durant said. “Everybody, once they get into the lane, they use little tricks to try to get their shot off. I don’t think he’s any different.” Game 2 Tuesday, which seems like an eternity ago now thanks to the NBA’s oddball scheduling system, was supposed to be the most heated there has been between the teams, ignited by refereeing furor from Game 1 and heightened by the presence of controversial ref Scott Foster. Yet when Draymond Green accidentally raked Harden’s eyes, the Golden State big man and Durant went over to inquire about Harden’s welfare as he left the court. “Just to check on him,” Green said afterwards. “It’s not about hurting anybody out there. So many times, people forget that when a guy is injured, you live with that every day, every second of every day. It’s not just about this game.” All nice and friendly. Right? Maybe. Story continues below gallery. Harden wasn’t in much mood to talk about it but many wondered if the apology was being taken as genuine. Harden's eyes were still visibly very red Thursday. There are mixed messages all over the place. Houston was infuriated by Golden State’s defensive tactics in the series opener but 48 hours later Clint Capela was extolling the virtues of the Warriors' outstanding defense. Meanwhile, Andre Iguodala praised Houston’s resiliency. If there is some discord, it is at least partially offset by respect. The Warriors know that no one plays them harder, nor is better equipped to give them a challenge. If not for an injury to Chris Paul in Game 6 in 2018, the Rockets might be the reigning NBA champions. Golden State would counter that Iguodala’s injury in the same series depleted its defensive resources. Either way, they know what the other brings and as a result, the Warriors are taking nothing for granted even after establishing a significant advantage with a 2-0 series lead heading into Saturday night's Game 3. “That is a heck of a team over there,” Klay Thompson said. “They do a lot of things well and we have to bring it, all of the time.” Paul has been chippy, getting ejected from Game 1, and acting sarcastic, mock celebrating when the officials gave Harden a three-point foul in Game 2. Yet he has been fulsome in his praise of Stephen Curry, who responded in kind, sharing a nostalgic story of when he trained with Paul in North Carolina early in his career. NBA HISTORY: Blazers outlast Nuggets in first 4OT playoff game since 1953 CURRY'S WEAKNESS:Will Rockets capitalize on Stephen Curry's penchant for foul trouble? DAME TIME:Damian Lillard and Portland deserve your respect Certainly it is mightily rare that Golden State goes into any game as an underdog, especially a sizable one. That’s how it is for Game 3 at Toyota Center though, with the Las Vegas line favoring the home side by as many as 3.5 points. A lot of it has to do with home court advantage, although Houston won exactly half of its four home games during the Conference Finals last year and split the two home games during this regular season. It is an oddity that having opened what most people see as a series-winning ga , Golden State goes in as a bigger underdog than it has been all year. Who knows what the rivalry holds, especially if Durant’s seemingly imminent departure shakes things up for the two-time defending champions. All we know is that it is well worth watching now. It is the most powerful and star-studded showdown the league has got, a matchup that could comfortably serve as the Finals and sometimes feels that way. It has our full attention because that’s what happens with great soap operas, regardless of whether the two groups of players eventually figure out whether they like each other or not. Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Martin Rogers on Twitter @RogersJourno<doc-sep>
Warriors-Rockets battle bring highest ABC primetime ratings in nearly a decade Two teams bring in a 20 percent increase in viewership in comparison to last year’s ratings Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) grabs a rebound against the Houston Rockets (Kyle Terada/Pool Photo via AP) A ton of people across America tuned into Saturday night’s Western Conference Playoffs battle between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, making it the highest-rated primetime NBA Conference Semifinals game broadcast since 2011. Game 3 of the battle between teams led by reigning MVP James Harden and Kevin Durant brought a 20 percent increase in viewership in comparison to last year’s ratings of the same time slot. The game brought in a 5.5 metered market viewing rating and peaked at 7.3 around 11:00 p.m est. Read More: NBA star reflects on high school teacher who told him he’d end up in jail Deadline details the Bay Area home market for the Warriors yielded an 18.2 rating for the game and the Houston area returned 11.8. With six games airing on the ESPN and ABC networks, the Conference Semis are averaging 4.1 metered market rating, which is a 21 percent increase from the 2018 playoffs. The night marked the second night in a row for an increase. Read More: Lamar Odom returns to basketball in Ice Cube’s Big3 league On the court, the Rockets and Warriors delivered a reason to stick around. The two teams are favorites for emerging from the Western conference and competed in an overtime thriller. The Rockets emerged victorious 126-121, behind a 41 point, 9 rebounds and 6 assist performance from Harden. Swingman Eric Gordon chipped in 30 points for his playoff career high. The win was the first for the Rockets in this series. For the Warriors, Durant continued his sizzling shooting from the floor and dropped 46 points in 50 minutes on the court. Read More: Golden State’s DeMarcus Cousins says he’s taken racial taunts from fans, but NBA was no help The Rockets and Warriors will lace up their sneakers again in Houston for game four on Monday. The game’s broadcast will shift from ESPN and ABC to TNT. The next games to air on the ESPN family of networks will be two potential game six battles between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers and the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trailblazers. The Sixers and Blazers currently lead those series. In June, the 2019 NBA Finals will air on ABC for a seven-game series to crown the kings of the NBA for this season. Share