TV ratings rise with new NBA All-Star Game format

It seems that the new format for this year's NBA All-Star Game paid some dividends.

Sunday night's broadcast delivered an average of 7.3 million viewers on TNT and TBS, up 8% over last season, Turner Sports and the league announced Monday.

The fourth quarter, which was played without a game clock or TV commercial interruptions, averaged 8 million viewers in the 11 p.m. ET hour.

Team LeBron beat Team Giannis 157-155, with James' squad outscoring Antetokounmpo's 33-22 in the final period. Antetokounmpo's team entered the final frame with the lead and needing to score 24 points for the win.

The game itself was substantially more competitive than in recent years, with both teams playing tighter defense. In the fourth quarter, Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry took two charges and two coach's challenges were issued.