As of Dec. 15, the NBA on ESPN through 30 games is averaging 1,811,000 viewers, up 18 percent from 1,532,000 for the same period last year.

This year's ratings are ESPN's second highest since they began televising the NBA in 02-03 with the 10-11 season rating higher during the first year of LeBron James' first year with the Heat.

ESPN's most viewed games this year are the Warriors at Thunder on Nov. 22nd (3.28M viewers), Lakers at Celtics on Nov. 8th (2.70M viewers) and Warriors at Pelicans on Oct. 20th (2.43M viewers).