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NBA Finals TV ratings up 50 percent from ’07

16.9 viewers over course of Game 6 between Celtics, Lakers

NEW YORK - The NBA Finals games were the six highest-rated and most-watched programs so far in June, the first time that has happened in seven years.

Boston’s victory over the Los Angeles Lakers averaged a 9.3 rating for the series, up 50 percent over the 6.2 for San Antonio’s sweep of Cleveland last year. The Celtics’ Game 6 clincher on Tuesday earned a 10.7 rating on ABC, averaging 16.9 million viewers over the course of the game.

Game 5, two nights earlier, averaged 17.4 million viewers.

The last time the finals swept the top spots was in 2001, when the Lakers beat Philadelphia in five games.

The Belmont Stakes, with 13.1 million viewers, was the most-watched program thus far in June besides the NBA Finals.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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