Essentials

How to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs game tonight: Game 2 livestream options, more

By Meredith Gordon

Edited By Fox Van Allen

May 9, 2024 / 8:00 AM EDT / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson fight for the rebound in the first quarter. Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Game 2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs series will be played tonight. After a humbling 120-95 Game 1 loss, the Cavaliers hope to bounce back to a win.

Keep reading for how and when to watch the Cavaliers vs. Celtics game, even if you don't have cable.

Watch today's game on Sling TV

How and when to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game 2

Game 2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs series will be played on May 9, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT). The game will air on ESPN and stream on Sling TV and the platforms featured below.

How to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics Game 2 without cable

If your cable subscription doesn't carry ESPN or you've cut the cord with your cable company, you can still watch today's game. Below are the platforms on which you can watch today's game live.

Save $25 on Sling TV: The most cost-effective way to stream the Cavaliers vs. Celtics game

If you don't have cable TV that includes ESPN, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream today's game is through a subscription to Sling TV. To watch today's game, you'll need a subscription to the Blue tier, which includes access to your local network affiliate's live feed (excluding CBS). To level up your coverage and get access to NBA playoff games broadcast on ESPN and TNT, subscribe to the Orange + Blue tier plan.

The Blue tier is $45 per month. The Sling's Orange + Blue tier costs $60 per month, but the platform is currently offering $25 off the first month of any pricing tier, making the Orange + Blue tier $35 for the first month.

There's also an NBA playoffs package deal where you can save $30 when you pre-pay for three months of service on any tier. You can cancel anytime.

Note: Because Sling TV doesn't carry CBS, you won't be able to watch CBS-aired programming like next year's NFL games on CBS. If you're looking for one live TV streaming platform to watch all your favorite sports, we suggest a subscription to Hulu + Live TV.

Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:

Sling TV is our top choice to stream the NBA Playoffs.
There are 40 channels to watch in total, including ABC, NBC and Fox (where available).
You get access to NBA games airing on TNT.
All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.

Watch the NBA playoffs now

Watch the Cavaliers vs. Celtics game for free with Fubo

You can also catch today's game on Fubo. Fubo is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to ABC and ESPN, in addition to almost every NFL game next season.

To watch the NBA Playoffs without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NBA basketball, you'll have access to NFL football, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. Fubo's Pro Tier is priced at $80 per month after your free seven-day trial.

Sports fans will want to consider adding on the $7.99 per month Fubo Extra package, which includes MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, SEC Network and more channels with live games. Or upgrade to the Fubo Elite tier and get all the Fubo Extra channels, plus the ability to stream in 4K, starting at $90 per month ($70 for the first month).

Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:

There are no contracts with Fubo, you can cancel anytime.
The Pro tier includes over 190 channels, so there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Fubo includes most channels you'll need to watch live sports, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
Stream on your TV, phone, tablet and other devices.

Start your Fubo free trial

Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle: Watch the Cavaliers vs. Celtics game live

You can watch today's game with the Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle. The bundle features 95 channels, including ABC, TNT, local network affiliates and ESPN. It also includes the ESPN+ streaming service. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch today's game, the 2024 NBA playoffs, MLB this season and network-aired NFL games next season with Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle.

Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+. It's priced at $77 per month after a three-day free trial.

Watch NBA basketball live

The best place to get NBA Playoffs fan gear: Fanatics

Rooting from home is more fun while repping your team with the latest NBA fan gear. Fanatics is our first stop for the newest NBA fan gear, our go-to for the latest drop of NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals merch like jerseys, commemorative T-shirts, hats and more. Fanatics also has just-released NFL Draft jerseys, like No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams' new Chicago Bears jersey. Shipping is free with code 24SHIP ($24 minimum order required).

See the newest Boston Celtics fan gear at Fanatics

See the newest Cleveland Cavaliers fan gear at Fanatics

2024 NBA Playoffs: Full playoff schedule

Conference semifinals schedule

The conference semifinals is a best-of-seven series beginning on May 4, 2024.

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston vs. (4) Cleveland

• Game 1: Celtics 120, Cavaliers 95
• Game 2: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Thursday, May 9 (7 ET, ESPN)
• Game 3: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Saturday, May 11 (8:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 4: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Monday, May 13 (7 ET, TNT)
• Game 5: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Wednesday, May 15 (TBD, TNT) *
• Game 6: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Friday, May 17 (TBD, ESPN) *
• Game 7: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *

Boston leads the series 1-0

* = If necessary

(2) New York vs. (6) Indiana

• Game 1: Knicks 121, Pacers 117
• Game 2: Pacers vs. Knicks, Wednesday, May 8 (8 ET, TNT)
• Game 3: Knicks vs. Pacers, Friday, May 10 (7 ET, ESPN)
• Game 4: Knicks vs. Pacers, Sunday, May 12 (3:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 5: Pacers vs. Knicks, Tuesday, May 14 (TBD, TNT) *
• Game 6: Knicks vs. Pacers, Friday, May 17 (TBD, ESPN) *
• Game 7: Pacers vs. Knicks, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *

New York leads the series 1-0

* = If necessary

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City vs. (5) Dallas

• Game 1: Thunder 117, Mavericks 95
• Game 2: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Thursday, May 9 (9:30 ET, ESPN)
• Game 3: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 11 (3:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 4: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Monday, May 13 (9:30 ET, TNT)
• Game 5: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Wednesday, May 15 (TBD, TNT) *
• Game 6: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 18 (8:30 ET, ESPN) *
• Game 7: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Monday, May 20 (8:30 ET, TNT) *

Oklahoma leads the series 1-0

* = If necessary

(2) Denver vs. (3) Minnesota

• Game 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99
• Game 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80
• Game 3: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Friday, May 10 (9:30 ET, ESPN)
• Game 4: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Sunday, May 12 (8 ET, TNT)
• Game 5: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Tuesday, May 14 (TBD, TNT) *
• Game 6: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Thursday, May 16 (8:30, ESPN) *
• Game 7: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *

Minnesota leads series 2-0

* = If necessary