Doubleheader Ratings Down From Last Year

A matchup between All-Star centers Shaquille O’Neal and Yao Ming failed to boost preliminary ratings for ABC’s first NBA telecasts of the season.

Ratings for the network’s Christmas Day doubleheader fell 9% from last year in the top 55 U.S. markets, according to Nielsen Media Research Inc.

The doubleheader (Lakers-Houston and Dallas-Sacramento) was watched by an average of 4.1% of households in the top 55 markets.

Last year’s Christmas doubleheader, which featured Boston against New Jersey and the Kings against the Lakers, drew a 4.5 rating in the large markets.

National ratings will be released Monday.

*

Forward Robert Archibald was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Orlando Magic for a conditional 2005 second-round draft pick, the second deal between the teams in three days. On Tuesday, Phoenix acquired forward Donnell Harvey from Orlando for a second-round draft pick next year.... The Milwaukee Bucks activated forward Brian Skinner from the injured list after he sat out 25 games because of arthroscopic knee surgery. Center Joel Przybilla replaced Skinner on the injured list.