NBA TIPS OFF AGAINST THE TONYS; NBA WINS

ABC’s coverage of the NBA Finals Sunday night attracted an average of 14.26 million viewers in primetime, peaking at 10:30 p.m. with 16.20 million, according to preliminary figures from Nielsen Research. That figure is likely to increase significantly when final results, which will include West Coast viewership, are announced. The 92-86 victory by the Boston Celtics sets the stage for a sixth game in Los Angeles on Tuesday and a seventh game — if the Lakers win — on Thursday — all good news for ABC. Competing valiantly against the game was the 2010 Tony Awards on CBS, which attracted 7.01 million viewers, down slightly from last year when the telecast drew 7.42 million. (It’s numbers, too, could rise when final figures are released.) The award for best Musical went to Memphis and the award for best play went to Red. Sean Hayes, who was up for an award for his performance in Promises, Promises, received much critical praise as the host of the proceedings. In his opening monologue, he quipped that being both the host and a nominee “combines a good chance of losing with a good chance of bombing.” Commented the Associated Press: “He was only half right.”