TORONTO - The opening game of the first-round NBA playoff series between the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets was a ratings hit for TSN.
Overnight data from BBM Canada indicates an average audience of 539,000 viewers watched Saturday's game. It was the most-watched Raptors game on English television in Canada since 2002, the network said Monday in a release.
Audience levels peaked late in the fourth quarter when the Nets pulled ahead for the 94-87 win at Air Canada Centre. It was the Raptors' first appearance in the post-season since 2008.
Sports TV ratings have skyrocketed in recent years following the introduction of a new ratings system.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven series will be played Tuesday night in Toronto. The series will shift to Brooklyn for Games 3 and 4.
