Watch the 2020 NBA playoffs live on ABC, ESPN, and TNT
ABC, ESPN, and TNT picked up the broadcasting rights to the NBA playoffs in the U.S., meaning the best way to stream the games is with services that include these channels. There are a variety of such services with free trials available.
Stream the NBA playoffs online on Sling TV
Price: 30 USD/month and up
Channels: ESPN and TNT
Sling TV provides access to networks that carry NBA playoff games, through their “Sling Orange” package. A three-day free trial is available.
To watch NBA live on Sling TV:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location in the U.S.
- Sign up for Sling TV Orange.
- Tune in and enjoy!
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Watching on mobile? Fire up the Sling TV app on your Android or iOS device.
Watch the NBA playoffs live online with YouTube TV
Price: 65 USD/month
Channels: ESPN, ABC, and TNT
YouTube TV gives you all of the networks carrying the NBA, and offers a five-day free trial.
The available games will depend on your location. You may need to supply a valid U.S. postal code (e.g., 10012, 48104).
To watch NBA live on YouTube TV:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location in the U.S.
- Sign up for YouTube TV.
- Tune in and enjoy!
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Watching on mobile? Fire up the YouTube TV app on your Android or iOS device.
Learn more about watching YouTube with ExpressVPN.
Watch the NBA playoffs on AT&T TV Now
Price: 55 USD/month and up
Channels: ABC, ESPN, and TNT
AT&T TV Now gives you access to all networks that carry the playoffs as well, they also offer a seven-day free trial. You will need to provide a valid U.S. address and credit card.
To watch NBA live on AT&T TV Now:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location in the U.S.
- Sign up for AT&T TV Now.
- Tune in and enjoy!
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Watching on mobile? Fire up the AT&T TV Now app on your on your Android or iOS device.
Learn more about watching AT&T TV Now with ExpressVPN.
Live stream the NBA playoff games on Hulu + Live TV
Price: 55 USD/month and up
Channels: ABC, ESPN and TNT
Hulu+Live TV is another way to catch live NBA games and offers a seven-day free trial. You may need to supply a valid U.S. postal code (e.g., 10012, 48104) and credit card.
To watch NBA live on Hulu+Live TV:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a server location in the U.S.
- Sign up for Hulu+Live TV.
- Tune in and enjoy!
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Watching on mobile? Fire up the Hulu app on your on your Android or iOS device.
Learn more about watching Hulu with ExpressVPN.
Stream the NBA playoffs on NBA League Pass
Want to catch every NBA game throughout the year with all the privacy and security of a VPN? NBA League Pass is your best option.
Price: 28.99 USD/season and up
To watch:
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a fast and secure server location. To avoid any blackouts, chose a location outside of the United States or Canada. For assistance, contact ExpressVPN Support via live chat.
- Go to NBA League Pass and sign up. You may need to supply a valid postal code.
- Enjoy the games!
Watching on a computer? For the best streaming experience, use the ExpressVPN browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
Follow basketball games on ESPN Radio
Price: Free
While ABC, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV hold TV broadcasting rights, ESPN Radio offers a free online audio broadcast of the season.
- Get ExpressVPN.
- Connect to a secure server location in the U.S. For assistance, contact ExpressVPN Support via live chat.
- Head to the official website of ESPN Radio.
- You’re all set!
Listening on mobile? Fire up the ESPN app on your Android or iOS device.
What to expect from Heat vs. Celtics
The Eastern Conference Finals look to be a rough-and-tumble defensive showdown as the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat are the two teams that have allowed the fewest points in this year’s playoffs.
The Heat run their offense through five-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, and an array of dead-eye shooters ranging from youngsters Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson, to resurgent veterans Jae Crowder and Goran Dragic. Bam Adebayo will also be crucial to their success as their top rebounder and a versatile lockdown defender. This team is well rested after upsetting the Milwaukee Bucks in five games, and enters the series after a whole week off the court.
Meanwhile, the Celtics come into this series after a drawn-out battle with the Toronto Raptors that went all the way to Game 7. The group will be at a disadvantage from a fatigue standpoint, but they feature the dangerous three-headed monster of Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, and Jaylen Brown. Thanks largely to the efforts of Marcus Smart they also play some of the best on-ball defense in the league. Gordon Hayward is also primed to return soon, and could be an offensive difference maker for the favored Celtics.
What to expect from Lakers vs. Nuggets
On August 23, the Denver Nuggets fell in a 3-1 hole to the Utah Jazz in the first round. Less than a month — and two seven-game series — later they’re in a battle with the mighty Los Angeles Lakers for a trip to the NBA Finals.
Denver comes into this matchup as a team with nothing to lose. No one expects this to be their year, and their top six scorers in the playoffs are all 26 or younger. These guys are going to be here again, but that doesn’t make them pushovers now. Thanks to Nikola Jokic’s combination of crafty playmaking and efficient scoring, Jamal Murray’s tendency to go off for 40-plus point games, and a roster full of players who can hit three-pointers, this team can keep up with anybody. Beating the Lakers is a tall task, but it’s hard to put a ceiling on a team that won three straight to outlast the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Lakers are about as top-heavy a title contender as you’re going to see. Beyond LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the only guys who’ve averaged double-digit scoring in the playoffs are Kyle Kuzma and a possibly over-the-hill Rajon Rondo. That makes their offensive success feel precarious, because they need their dynamic duo to put up big numbers on a nightly basis. That’s what those guys do, though, and the Lakers dispatched the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets in just five games each to reach this point. It’s hard not to like their chances against Denver.
2020 NBA Playoffs schedule
Here is the list of upcoming games for the 2020 NBA playoffs. A asterisks beside a game indicates that it will only be played if necessary.
| Date and time (ET) | Round | Where to watch? |
| September 23 at 8:30 p.m. | East Finals Game 4 | ESPN |
| September 24 at 9:00 p.m. | West Finals Game 4 | TNT |
| September 25 at 8:30 p.m. | East Finals Game 5 | ESPN |
| September 26 at 9:00 p.m. | West Finals Game 5 | TNT |
| September 27 at 7:30 p.m. | East Finals Game 6* | ESPN |
| September 28 at TBD | West Finals Game 6* | TNT |
| September 30 at TBD | West Finals Game 7* | TNT |
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