Game 1 of NBA Finals makes Canadian viewership history as U.S. ratings slide

The Toronto Raptors' win over the Golden State Warriors in Thursday's NBA Finals opener was the most-watched basketball game in Canadian history.

Game 1 reached 7.4 million people in Canada and was watched by an average of 3.3 million viewers, according to Sportsnet, cementing the contest's place atop Canada's record books.

The numbers weren't as positive in the U.S., however.

According to Ben Cafardo of ESPN, Game 1 on ABC earned a 10.1 overnight rating in the U.S. It's the lowest such number for Game 1 of The Finals since the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers opened the 2009 edition, reports SportsMediaWatch. Only four other Finals openers in the last 20 years recorded lower overnight ratings.

U.S. ratings, though, do not account for Canadian viewers, who were able to tune in to either ABC or Sportsnet to watch Game 1.

The opening tilt of the 2001 NBA Finals between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Lakers remains the most-watched Game 1 of the last 20 years with a 15.2 overnight rating, according to SportsMediaWatch. Game 1 of the 2016 NBA Finals between the Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers ranks second with a 13.1 overnight rating.