The contest that ended in the Cavs pulling out a 129-122 victory over the Thunder averaged 1.87 million viewers, marking a 20% increase to the comparable window last year, with viewership peaking at 2.5 million. The numbers underscore the excitement surrounding the high-stakes battle, which many have already dubbed the “game of the year.”

The superteams era is over. Deep rosters, versatile lineups and a relentless style of play are proving to be the best path to success.