NBA Finals ratings lowest since 1982

[Evilmav2]

NBA Finals ratings lowest since 1982

June 12, 2003
NEW YORK (AP) -- Ratings for the NBA Finals are on their way to being the lowest since 1982 and are down 38 percent from last season.

The finals, between the New Jersey Nets and San Antonio Spurs, have an average rating of 6.3 through four games. No NBA Finals' series since 1982 has finished with an average rating in single digits, according to Nielsen Media Research.

New Jersey's 77-76 victory over the Spurs in Game 4 on Wednesday night earned a 6.7 rating with a 12 share, a 38 percent drop from last year's Game 4.

The Los Angeles Lakers, led by the star duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, defeated the Nets in four games last season to win their third straight championship.

Last year's finals had an average rating of 10.2. The Lakers' clinching victory in Game 4 earned a 10.8 rating.

The Nets and Spurs are tied 2-2. Game 5 is Friday night in New Jersey.

The rating is the percentage of all homes with televisions, whether or not they are in use. The share is the percentage of televisions in use tuned to a program.