Finals Ratings Strong in L.A.

Even though the Lakers weren’t involved, there was considerable interest in the NBA Finals in Los Angeles, judging from television ratings released Friday. But the absence of the Lakers hurt national ratings.

The seven-game series in which the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Detroit Pistons averaged an 8.2 national Nielsen rating with a 15 share of the audience. That’s 29% below the 11.5/20 average for last year’s five-game finals between the Lakers and Pistons.

Game 7 Thursday night got an 11.9/22 nationally, as ratings for the series rallied considerably as it progressed. The first four games averaged a 7.1/13 rating, the last three a 9.7/17.

In an era of generally declining ratings, the 8.2 overall average is the second-lowest since all games of the NBA Finals began being televised live in prime time. The lowest was a 6.5 in 2003, when the Spurs beat the New Jersey Nets in six games.

In Los Angeles, where ratings were solid throughout the finals, Thursday night’s Game 7 drew a 16.5/29.

Only four markets outside Texas and Detroit did better, even though in general ratings are lower in the larger markets. New York, by comparison, drew a 12.7/21.

Game 7 got a 51.6/67 in San Antonio and a 49.1/68 in Detroit. Indianapolis was the next highest-rated market outside Texas with an 18.8/28.

-- Larry Stewart

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Guard Fred Hoiberg, 32, of the Minnesota Timberwolves says he will have heart surgery Tuesday to correct an enlarged aortic root.

He told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he should be able to play again, but he will consider retiring if his condition is life threatening.

Associated Press contributed to this report.