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The 2023 NBA Playoffs are heating up! For sports fanatics who want to watch their favorite teams face off, there are plenty of affordable streaming options that offer NBA coverage live and on demand.
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The Milwaukee Bucks will face the Miami Heat in an Eastern Conference matchup on Monday (April 24) at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. ET on TNT. The Heat secured a 2-1 lead over the Bucks after beating them 121-99 over the weekend.
Also scheduled for Monday, the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on TNT. The Lakers lead the Grizzlies 2-1 in the Western Conference.
Want to watch the action in person? You can find playoffs tickets at StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, Ticketmaster and other ticketing sites for approximately $164 and up.
Read on for details on how to watch playoff games without cable.
NBA Playoffs Schedule: How to Stream Games Online
If you’re a die-hard basketball fan, NBA League Pass is an obvious choice during the regular season but things change for the playoffs. The service lets subscribers access hundreds of live games and 24/7 access to news, highlights, studio shows and classic games from the archives starting at $14.99/month, however NBA Playoffs games broadcast and stream on TNT, ESPN and ESPN platforms.
ESPN’s coverage began on April 15 with NBA Countdown Presented by Chime ahead of the playoffs game. The special, which aired on ESPN, ESPN2 and steamed on the ESPN app, featured commentary from Mike Greenberg, Jalen Rose, Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, and Adrian Wojnarowski. Other games were broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ABC and the ESPN app.
Where can you watch TNT, ESPN and ABC without cable? You can stream those channels and other cable networks on platforms like DirectTV Stream, Fubo and Sling TV.
Most streamers offer a free trial or a discount at sign up, so you won’t necessarily have to pay out of pocket, depending on which platform you choose. To make shopping a little easier, we collected a short list of some of the more affordable options and what they offer.
DirectTV Stream’s Entertainment package is currently discounted to $64.99/month (regular $74.99/month) for the first three months, plus you’ll get a free trial for the first five days and DVR storage. The package lets you stream 75+ channels including ABC, NBC, ESPN, CBS, TNT, USA and TLC.
Direct TV Stream $64.99/month for 3 months $74.99/month 13% off% OFF Buy Now 1
Direct TV also offers a Gemini streaming device, which allows you to watch live and on-demand channels alongside streamers like Prime Video, HBO Max, Disney+ and Netflix, all in once place.
How to Watch the NBA Playoffs on Sling, Fubo & More
Sling TV subscribers can watch ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT etc. for just $20 for the first month (regular $40/month). Sling’s Orange tier gets you access to 31 channels, 50 hours of DVR storage and one device stream.
Sling TV $20 $40 50% off% OFF Buy Now 1
For additional channels, DVR storage and up to three device streams, upgrade to Sling Blue — currently discounted to $22.50 for the first month — or the Orange & Blue tier currently $30 for the first month.
Fubo Pro is $74.99 a month after a free trial for the first week. The streamer does not carry TNT, but packages include 151 channels, over 100 sporting events, cloud DVR (1,000 hours) and streaming from unlimited screens at home. For Spanish-speaking sports fans, Fubo offers a Latino package, which is discounted to $24.99 a month (regular $32.99).
Another affordably-priced option, Vidgo Plus is $69.99/month to access ABC, ESPN and over 110 live and on-demand channels (but not TNT), plus DVR storage. Vidgo also offers Ultimate, Premium, and Vidgo Mas packages ranging from $34.95-$99.95 per month.
You can join Hulu + Live TV and stream over 75 channels, plus access to ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+, starting at $69.99/month.
Other options for live television include Verizon Fios and T-Mobile, and if you’re streaming internationally, ExpressVPN and NordVPN lets you watch ESPN, ABC, TNT and other channels and streaming platforms from outside of the U.S.
See the full 2023 NBA Playoffs bracket here.