ESPN saw its highest-rated 2018 NBA Playoffs telecast Friday when the Cleveland Cavaliers were defeated by the Indiana Pacers in Game 6. The telecast generated a 2.9 metered market rating, up 81% from the Boston Celtics-Chicago Bulls game in 2017, a 1.6, according to Nielsen.

The game peaked with a 3.6 metered market rating from 9:45-10 PM ET. In the city of Cleveland, Game 6 delivered a 12.3 rating. This made it the highest-rated first round game on ESPN ever in the market. For Indianapolis, the telecast succeeded in delivering the best-ever local rating for a first-round game on ESPN, with an 11.9 rating.

The 2018 NBA Playoffs on ESPN is averaging a 2.5 metered market rating, up 14 percent from 2017.