Things overheated for LeBron James as ABC’s telecast of Game 1 of the NBA Finals rematch between the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat surpassed last year’s opener.
The June 5 telecast of the Spurs' 110-95 win over the Heat on June 5 averaged 14.85 million watchers, up 4% from the first game of the 2013 championship series that was also taken by San Antonio.
Thursday night’s game will always be remembered for the malfunctioning air-conditioning system in AT&T Center that pushed on-court temperatures into the low 90s. James missed much of the fourth quarter with severe cramping as San Antonio ended the contest on a 31-9 run.
It will be interesting to see if LeBron's laboring will draw viewers to ABC for Game 2 on Sunday night at 8 p.m. Last year' Finals series didn't take off with the Nielsens until Game 6 and Game 7.
