Game 1 between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves averaged 7.02 million viewers across TNT and truTV.
That number is down 5% from the Lakers-Nuggets opener from last season.
The game, which peaked at 8.69 million viewers, is the second-largest audience of the playoffs.
Game 1 between the Pacers and Celtics averaged 6.48 million viewers.