Where To Watch The NBA Playoffs?
Wondering where to watch the NBA playoffs? Here’s a list of the best places to catch all the action, whether you’re at home or on the go.
ESPN
The ESPN App is the #1 sports app in the world. From your phone, you can get up-to-the-minute scores, complete news coverage, live streaming games and shows, and more. Watch live on your phone or tablet, or stream to your TV with Chromecast.
Live Stream
You can watch the NBA Playoffs live on ESPN. Just go to the ESPN website and sign in with your TV provider. You’ll be able to watch all the games live, as well as get access to highlights, recaps, and more.
TV Schedule
The 2019 NBA Playoffs are finally here, and we know basketball fans everywhere are wondering where they can catch all the action.
Luckily, ESPN has got you covered with comprehensive TV coverage all throughout the playoffs. No matter who your team is, or where you are in the country, you can find a game being aired on ESPN or one of its many affiliates.
Here is the full schedule for the first round of games, so you can start making your viewing plans:
Thursday, April 18
-Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons (Game 1), 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
-Orlando Magic vs. Toronto Raptors (Game 1), 8 p.m. ET on TNT
-Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Game 1), 10:30 p.m. ET on TNT
Friday, April 19
-Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers (Game 1), 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
-Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz (Game 1), 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Saturday, April 20
-Brooklyn Nets vs Philadelphia 76ers (Game 2), 4:30 p.m .ET on ABC
-Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Clippers (Game 2), 8 p .m .ET on ABC
TNT
TNT will be televising the NBA Playoffs this year. You can watch the games on your TV or stream them online. TNT will have exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals and the NBA Finals. You can also watch the games on the TNT app.
Live Stream
TNT will be live streaming the NBA playoffs this year, so you can catch all the action no matter where you are. You can stream the games on your computer, phone, or tablet, and you’ll be able to watch all of the games that are being televised on TNT. So, if you’re looking for a way to watch the NBA playoffs this year, be sure to check out TNT’s live stream.
TV Schedule
The National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs are a best-of-seven elimination tournament held after the conclusion of the NBA regular season. The winners of each series advance to the next round, until the final series, whose winner is crowned the NBA champion.
The first two rounds of the playoffs, or conference quarterfinals, consist of two teams each from the three divisions in each conference. The third round, or conference semifinals, consists of the remaining four teams in each conference. The fourth round, or conference finals, pits the conference champions from the East and West against each other.
The fifth and final round, or NBA Finals, pits the Eastern Conference champion against the Western Conference champion. From 1953 to 1955, when there were only nine teams in the league and therefore only four playoff berths available, only two rounds (the division semifinals and finals) were held.
The playoffs were expanded to eight teams in 1970; through 1977 they included only four teams perconference: two division winners and two wild cards—the team with the best record in each conference that did not win its division. That system remained in place through 1987; beginning in 1988 three division winners and five wild cards perconference advanced tothe playoffs—the top three seeds getting first-round byes. Various other playoff formats have been used since then; currently (since 2016), seven teams from each conference qualify for themain playoff tournament:
-The three division winners automatically advance to a best-of-seven second-round series (the division semifinals);
-Seeds 4–7 play each other in a best-of-seven first-round series (known as “play-in” games if needed);
-Seeds 1–2 receive a first-round bye;
-Seeds 1–2 play Seed 3 in a best-of-seven second-round series (the conference semifinals);and
-Seeds 4–7 play each other in a best-of-seven first-round series (known as “playin” games if needed).
ABC
You can catch all the action of the NBA playoffs on ABC. This network will be broadcasting every game of the playoffs so you won’t miss a single moment. You can also stream the games online if you prefer.
Live Stream
There are a few ways that you can live stream the NBA playoffs. One way is through a TV provider. If you have a cable or satellite subscription, you can log in to your provider’s website and access the live stream that way. Another way to live stream the NBA playoffs is through an online streaming service such as Sling TV, DIRECTV NOW, or PlayStation Vue. These services allow you to watch a variety of live TV channels, including ESPN, which will be broadcasting the NBA playoffs. You can sign up for a free trial of one of these services and watch the games for free.
TV Schedule
The 2019 NBA playoffs will tip off on Saturday, April 13 and will conclude June 16 with the playing of the NBA Finals. Below is the complete schedule for all rounds of this year’s playoffs, including TV information.
First Round
Friday, April 12 – Sunday, April 21
– No national TV broadcasts
Second Round
Monday, April 22 – Sunday, May 5
– TNT and ESPN will share second-round games
Conference Finals
Tuesday, May 14 – Sunday, May 26
– TNT will exclusively air the conference finals
