National Basketball Association

Knicks' TV ratings soar in Melo's debut

Published Feb. 24, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Carmelo Anthony's Knicks debut drew the highest rating for a regular-season game on MSG network since Michael Jordan's famed ''double-nickel'' game 16 years ago.

The Knicks said their 114-108 victory over Milwaukee on Wednesday earned a 6.75 household rating, easily topping the previous high this season, a 3.61 for the Boston Celtics' visit Dec. 15.

It was MSG's highest-rated Knicks telecast in the regular season since Jordan's first return to Madison Square Garden after his first retirement, when he scored 55 points in a Chicago victory.

The Knicks are averaging a 1.62 rating through 52 games, a 60 percent increase over the 1.01 at this time last season.