How cord-cutters can watch the NBA Playoffs and Finals with out cable
The NBA postseason picture begins to take shape with the play-in tournament on April 11-14 and the first round of the playoffs starting on April 15. As in years past, the games will be broadcast on ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV, with ABC exclusively airing the NBA Finals.
Whether you want to follow one particular series or catch the entire tournament, you will likely need a streaming subscription if you’ve ditched cable. We’ve listed all your options below and included links to get you started.
Sling TV offers one of the least-expensive alternatives to cable, but you’ll need a TV antenna to watch your local broadcast channels.
Over the air
Winegard’s Flatwave Amped antenna (model number FL-5500A) is one of our favorite indoor antennas.
Martyn Williams/IDG
The good news is you can watch the Finals on ABC for free if you have an over-the-air TV antenna and are within the radius of your local ABC affiliate’s broadcast tower. You’ll find our top antenna picks here.
You can watch the playoff games with some combination of the following services.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream will give you access to ESPN, TNT, TBS, ABC and NBA TV through its Choice package for $100 per month. Currently, the service is offering $10 off the monthly rate for the first three months of your subscription. You can try the service for free for five days.
Fubo
Fubo’s $85-per-month Elite package includes ABC and ESPN, and NBA TV. None of its packages include TNT or TBS, though. A 7-day free trial is available.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV gives you access to ABC, ESPN, TBS, and TNT. As with most other services, however, the exact channel lineup varies by market. The service costs $70 per month, and there’s a 7-day free trial available.
Sling TV
Sling TV’s “basketball bundle” is one of the least-expensive ways for cord-cutters to watch the NBA postseason. Sign up for the Sling Orange package plus the Sports Extra add-on and you’ll get $20 off the usual $51-per-month price for the first month. That will get you ESPN, TNT, TBS, and NBA TV. Add a TV antenna to catch the ABC broadcasts, and you’ll have everything covered. Sling TV offers a 7-day free trial when you sign up through a Sling-compatible streaming device .
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is our top pick in TV-streaming services overall, and it includes local ABC stations (in 99.5 percent of the homes in the U.S.), ESPN, TNT, TBS, and NBA TV. Subscriptions are $73 per month, but the service is currently offering the first three months for just $63. A 7-day free trial is available.
Cord Cutting, Streaming MediaThe NBA postseason image begins to take form with the play-in match on April 11-14 and the primary spherical of the playoffs beginning on April 15. As in years previous, the video games might be broadcast on ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBA TV, with ABC completely airing the NBA Finals.
Whether or not you need to observe one explicit sequence or catch your complete match, you’ll doubtless want a streaming subscription in case you’ve ditched cable. We’ve listed all of your choices under and included hyperlinks to get you began.
Sling TV provides one of many least-expensive alternate options to cable, however you’ll want a TV antenna to look at your native broadcast channels.
Over the air
Winegard’s Flatwave Amped antenna (mannequin quantity FL-5500A) is one among our favourite indoor antennas.
Martyn Williams/IDG
The excellent news is you possibly can watch the Finals on ABC without cost when you have an over-the-air TV antenna and are throughout the radius of your native ABC affiliate’s broadcast tower. You’ll discover our top antenna picks here.
You may watch the playoff video games with some mixture of the next companies.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream gives you entry to ESPN, TNT, TBS, ABC and NBA TV by way of its Selection package deal for $100 per 30 days. At present, the service is providing $10 off the month-to-month charge for the primary three months of your subscription. You may strive the service without cost for 5 days.
Fubo
Fubo’s $85-per-month Elite package deal consists of ABC and ESPN, and NBA TV. None of its packages embrace TNT or TBS, although. A 7-day free trial is out there.
Hulu + Stay TV
Hulu + Live TV offers you entry to ABC, ESPN, TBS, and TNT. As with most different companies, nevertheless, the precise channel lineup varies by market. The service prices $70 per 30 days, and there’s a 7-day free trial obtainable.
Sling TV
Sling TV’s “basketball bundle” is without doubt one of the least-expensive methods for cord-cutters to look at the NBA postseason. Join the Sling Orange package deal plus the Sports activities Additional add-on and also you’ll get $20 off the same old $51-per-month value for the primary month. That can get you ESPN, TNT, TBS, and NBA TV. Add a TV antenna to catch the ABC broadcasts, and also you’ll have all the things coated. Sling TV provides a 7-day free trial whenever you join by way of a Sling-compatible streaming system .
YouTube TV
YouTube TV is our prime decide in TV-streaming companies total, and it consists of native ABC stations (in 99.5 p.c of the houses within the U.S.), ESPN, TNT, TBS, and NBA TV. Subscriptions are $73 per 30 days, however the service is presently providing the primary three months for simply $63. A 7-day free trial is out there.
Twine Slicing, Streaming Media
