The final numbers for the first game of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics drew 13.384 million according to Nielsen.  Note: that’s for the full game, not just the primetime portion.

In terms of Nielsen household rating the game averaged an 8.7, up 38 percent versus last year’s game one between the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers. Last year’s final opened with a 6.3 household rating and 9.206 million viewers.  Last night was an exicting game that the Celtics won to go up 1-0 in the best of seven series and has some comparing Paul Pierce to Willis Reed (I’m not going that far, but it was inspirational).

In terms of the age/gender demos the game which the Celtics one and hashere are some additional numbers:

• Men 18-34 (2,312,000)
• Men 18-49 (4,604,000)
• Men 25-54 (4,582,000)
• Adults 18-34 (3,536,000)
• Adults 18-49 (7,087,000)
• Adults 25-54 (7,030,000)

ABC claims it was the network’s best performance with men 18-34 and 18-49 since September 2005 and the highest rated game one of the finals since 2004 when game one of the Lakers/Pistons matchup drew a 9.8 and was on in 10.634 million homes. Last night’s game while viewed by 13.38 million people was on in 9.813 million homes. Last year’s game one which produced 9.206 million viewers was on in 6.99 million homes.