BRISTOL, Conn.—ESPN is reporting that the first two rounds of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Presented by Google Pixel are the most-watched ever on ESPN platforms.

According to Nielsen data the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs have averaged 5,226,000 viewers across 27 games on ESPN platforms, up 14 percent from last year.

The Boston Celtics 24-point rout of the Philadelphia 76ers on May 14 delivered the largest NBA Conference Semifinals Audience on ABC in 12 years (since 2011). The broadcast averaged 8,441,000 viewers, peaking with 10,165,000 viewers from 5:45-6 p.m. ET., ESPN said. 

Viewership for the Celtics vs. 76ers Game 7 was up 13 percent from last year’s comparable window, which was Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7 on ABC. Sunday’s Celtics vs. 76ers broadcast was also the most-watched Conference Semifinals Game 7 on any network since 2008, ESPN said. 

In addition, Game 7 was the most-watched program of the day on Mother’s Day across all of television and in all key demographics. 

Overall, the 2023 NBA Conference Semifinals was the most-watched since 2011 on ESPN platforms.

BRISTOL, Conn.—ESPN continues to put an increased emphasis on sports betting, announcing that the network will produce its first alternate broadcast of an NBA game with a betting focus. The “Daily Wager Special” will cover an April 14 game between the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers.

ESPN+ and ESPN2 will both carry the “Daily Wager Special” broadcast, while the traditional broadcast will air on ESPN.

“Daily Wager Special” will feature commentators from ESPN’s “Daily Wager” program, including Doug Kezirian, Joe Fortenbaugh and Tyler Fulghum. They will call the game from ESPN’s Las Vegas studios. ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins has also been tapped for the coverage. A pregame and halftime program will also be shown as part of the alternate broadcast.

The content of the “Daily Wager Special” broadcast is expected to include discussion of game action in relation to pregame odds, tracking live odds, discussion on futures and updates on other games being played.

ESPN shared no details at this time on whether additional betting-focused broadcasts will take place during the rest of the NBA season.

PHILADELPHIA—NBC Sports Philadelphia will return with its alternative 76ers sports betting-focused broadcast tonight at 7 p.m. EDT on NBC Sports Philadelphia+ with new, enhanced graphics to present real-time sports betting data.

The production, “NBC Sports Betcast: 76ers vs. Knicks,” is the first of 10 games to be covered during the betting-centric production lineup. Marc Farzetta will host the coverage alongside sports betting expert Brad Feinberg and Anthony Gargano from 97.5 the Fanatic.

The new betting-focused graphics and data will complement their analysis, which will focus on betting odds and how they are affected by the flow of the game.

“These broadcasts are a fun way for fans to be more engaged with our games,” said Shawn Oleksiak, NBC Sports Philadelphia vice president of Live Events. “From the casual sports bettor, to those just learning the basics, these game broadcasts will entertain as well as inform those interested in sports betting.”

Marc Zumoff, Alaa Abdelnaby and Serena Winters will call the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia.

The remaining schedule of NBC Sports BetCast 76eers games includes:

• Monday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. vs. Utah Jazz
• Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. vs. Denver Nuggets
• Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. vs. New Orleans Pelicans
• Monday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
• Friday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. vs. Memphis Grizzlies
• Sunday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. vs. Chicago Bulls
• Monday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. vs. Atlanta Hawks
• Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7p.m. vs. New York Knicks
• Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. vs. Toronto Raptors