Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

LeBron James’ return to Cleveland drew big TV ratings Thursday night, according to TNT’s Jeff Pomeroy.

TNT’s telecast of James and the Miami Heat vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers drew a 5.0 overnight TV rating, up 257% from the 1.4 rating for the corresponding Boston-San Antonio game last season.

LeBron’s “Return” to Cleveland also bested the 4.1 overnight rating for the NFL Network’s telecast of the Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Houston Texans by 22%.

The NBA game averaged a whopping 25.4 overnight rating in the Cleveland TV market compared to 14.9 in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area.

Ratings peaked at 6.7 from 8:15 – 8:30 p.m, then declined as the Heat took control.

Interestingly, TNT’s pregame show from 8-8:11 p.m ET with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson setting the scene at the frenzied arena outdrew the game itself, pulling a 5.9 rating.

–Michael McCarthy