ESPN Draws Its Highest-Rated Conference Finals Game 4 in Six Years

ESPN drew its highest-rated Conference Finals Game 4 in six years for the Cleveland Cavaliers' victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night, according to Nielsen. The telecast delivered a 6.1 metered market rating, up 45 percent from ESPN's coverage of the Western Conference Finals Game 4 (Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs, 4.2) in 2017, and up 15 percent from the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 - also a Cleveland vs. Boston matchup - that drew a 5.3 rating.

Through four games, the ESPN's Eastern Conference Finals coverage is up 23 percent from its Western Conference Finals series last year and from the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals. Overall, ESPN's 2018 NBA Playoffs metered market ratings are up 10 percent from last year.

Monday's telecast peaked with a 7.2 rating from 11-11:15 p.m. ET. The top five local markets were Cleveland (24.6), Boston (12.9), Columbus (12.1), New Orleans (10.4) and Providence (9.2).

Additionally, NBA COUNTDOWN on ESPN generated a 1.3 metered market rating, up eight percent from the corresponding Game 4 pre-game show last year.

The next installment of Detail, the high-level basketball analysis and film study show from ESPN and Kobe Bryant's Granity Studios, will be available today (Tuesday), exclusively on ESPN+. Kobe Bryant will break down Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets Game 3 from the vantage point of Stephen Curry.

The 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals will continue on ESPN with Game 5 on Wednesday, May 23, at 8:30 p.m. as the Boston Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers. The series is currently tied 2-2.