With less than two minutes in Game 6 of the NBA finals, ABC's announcers handed the title to the Golden State Warriors. While it was reasonable to assume that they would not fritter away a 13-point lead, it was premature to unreservedly say so. A lot can happen in a short time and it did.
After Stephen Curry found a clear path through the Cleveland defense for a layup to put the Warriors ahead, 98-85, Mark Jackson said, "Give them the jewelry now." Moments later, Mike Breen added, "The Cavaliers season will end tonight." And not long after, Jeff Van Gundy, the third man at the table, offered his a valedictory for the Cavaliers. "They got beaten by the better team," he said, but praised them for getting the most of their talent and for achieving despite the losses of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. Van Gundy's final thoughts before the final buzzer continued as he said that Jackson's three seasons as the Golden State coach changed the team's course before he was fired and replaced by Steve Kerr. Yet, as the three men spoke, Cleveland was cutting into the Warriors' lead. Two 3-pointers by J.R. Smith made the score 100-92 with 55 seconds to go. "Cavs still fighting," said Breen, who repeated the sentiment - "Cavs continue to fight"- 18 seconds later when Lebron James's layup shrank the lead to six.
Finally, after another Smith 3-pointer with 29 seconds left brought Cleveland within four, Breen admitted that he, Jackson and Van Gundy had awarded the finals to the Warriors a smidgen early.
"Huge free throws," Breen said, as Curry stepped to the free-throw line. "We saw the Warriors start to celebrate. And we were even waxing poetic about the upcoming championship. But Cleveland, fighting tooth and nail to the end." Referring to Warriors fans watching in Oakland, he added: "A little anxiety in Oracle Arena. Ready to celebrate. But not yet." When it was actually over - and Golden State had won, 105-97 - Breen said, "They can start their celebration." ABC - or, I should say, ESPN on ABC - can also celebrate.
Game 6 had an average viewership of nearly 23.3 million, up 13 percent from the comparable game in 2013 (there was no sixth game last year). The audience peaked at 28.7 million near the end. The six-game average of 19.9 million rose 28 percent from last year's five-game series and is the highest since 29 million watched Chicago beat Utah in 1998.
