Lakers at Clippers draws big numbers on ESPN
The Lakers lost 107-102 Friday, visiting the Clippers in a game that was broadcast nationally on ESPN.
The “Battle for L.A.” telecast gave the network its best NBA regular-season overnight rating (2.7) in nearly two years, according to ESPN.
Locally in Los Angeles, the game posted a 5.7 rating, the second-highest-rated NBA regular-season game ever in the market.
Historically, the Lakers have been a big draw, but the Clippers, who have the best overall record in the league at 27-8, are the talk of the NBA.
The Lakers got 38 points out of Kobe Bryant and nearly overtook the Clippers in a fourth-quarter rally. Chris Paul scored his team’s final eight points to seal the victory.
The local rivals will meet again Feb. 14, a Lakers home game.
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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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