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The NBA season is reaching a dramatic climax, and we wouldn't want you to miss a thing.
There are plenty of ways to keep up with all the action as we head into the playoffs and finals, but most require you to subscribe to streaming platforms. The good news is that you can keep hold of your cash by taking advantage of some simple tricks.
When are the NBA playoffs?
The NBA playoffs start with the play-in tournament. Following that, the playoffs will run until the NBA finals begin on June 1. Here's the schedule for your convenience:
NBA Play-In Tournament: April 11-14
NBA Playoffs: from April 15
NBA Conference Semifinals: from May 1-2
NBA Conference Finals: from May 16-17
NBA Finals 2023 Game 1: June 1
NBA Finals 2023 Game 2: June 4
NBA Finals 2023 Game 3: June 7
NBA Finals 2023 Game 4: June 9
NBA Finals 2023 Game 5: June 12 (if necessary)
NBA Finals 2023 Game 6: June 15 (if necessary)
NBA Finals 2023 Game 7: June 18 (if necessary)
Write these dates down and commit them to memory. You don't want you to miss a moment, so do everything you can to remember.
Can you watch the NBA online?
You have so many options when it comes to watching the NBA online:
DirecTV Stream — This streaming platform shows CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. The Entertainment Plan (with TBS, TNT, and TruTV) costs $74.99 a month, or you can upgrade to the Choice package (including CBS) for $99.99 a month. Alternatively, you could make the most of the five-day free trial.
fuboTV — The Pro package costs $74.99 a month, but crucially, starts with a seven-day free trial.
Hulu + Live TV — This popular service includes access to CBS, TBS, TNT, and TruTV. Hulu + Live TV (with adverts) costs $69.99 per month. Hulu + Live TV (without adverts) will set you back $82.99 per month. There is no free trial.
NBA League Pass — A monthly package starts at $14.99, or $19.99 for the Premium version. If you only want to follow one team and pay on a monthly basis, a subscription starts at $13.99. New subscribers get seven days before committing to a paid subscription.
Paramount+ — Paramount+ only costs $9.99 a month, and offers a seven-day free trial.
Sling — Sling's Blue subscription comes with TBS, TNT, and TruTV. This would usually cost $45 a month, but for a limited time, you can save 50% on your first month and get this package for just $22.50. Sling is also offering its Orange subscription at half-price for the first month. This tier is usually $40 a month, but with the first-month deal, it's available for just $20.
YouTube TV — For a limited time, this service costs $62.99 per month for your first three months ($72.99 per month after the promotional period), and includes access to CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV. New subscribers are eligible for a 14-day free trial of the basic package.
The best service for you depends on a lot of factors, and it's something you should think carefully about before committing. Fortunately, you might not need to commit with your cash.
Can you livestream the NBA for free?
Yes, you can watch a lot of this year's NBA playoffs and finals for free. You just need to make the most of the free trials offered by leading streaming sites, and think about timings. NBA League Pass, DirecTV Stream, fuboTV, Paramount+, and YouTube TV all offer free trials, so you could stream the end of the NBA season without paying anything.
Can you watch the NBA for free from abroad?
Most of the streaming sites offering coverage of the NBA are only available in the U.S., which means anyone connecting from abroad will not be able to make the most of the free trials. If you attempt to connect from outside the U.S., you'll be quickly blocked by the platform. The only way to get around this is with a VPN.
By signing up for a streaming-friendly VPN and connecting to a secure server in a location that supports the likes of DirecTV Stream and fuboTV, you can trick these streaming platforms into thinking you are connecting from an approved location. The process is actually pretty straightforward. Just follow these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign up for a free trial of NBA League Pass, DirecTV Stream, fuboTV, Paramount+, or YouTube TV
Watch the NBA for free from anywhere in the world
Most of the best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By using these guarantees, you can watch the NBA without actually committing any of your cash.
What is the best VPN for streaming the NBA?
ExpressVPN is a top choice for streaming due to its impressive connection speeds, powerful levels of encryption, apps for all operating systems, five multi-logins, and helpful customer support. It also has a robust privacy policy that looks after your data.
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £84.06 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This heavily discounted plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can sign up to watch the NBA and then recover your investment with the money-back guarantee.
Livestream the NBA for free with a streaming-friendly VPN.
