Essentials

NBA Conference Finals 2023: How to watch Game 2 of the Heat vs. Celtics tonight

By Jennifer Martin

Edited By Lily Rose, Fox Van Allen

May 19, 2023 / 12:25 PM 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.

The NBA playoffs are in full swing. The conference finals began Tuesday and will continue through May 29 if needed. Tonight is Game 2 of the Eastern Conference, where the Miami Heat (1-0) take on the Boston Celtics at 8:30 p.m. EDT (5:30 p.m. PDT) on Friday, May 19. Tomorrow, the Los Angeles Lakers play against the Denver Nuggets for Game 3 of the Western Conference. The Nuggets are currently up 2-0 against the Lakers.

These NBA conference final games will determine which teams make it to the NBA playoff finals. Find out how to catch tonight's game and see who might end up as NBA champions. You don't even need a cable subscription -- just Sling TV.

Best way to live stream the NBA playoffs

If you want access to live stream all the games in the NBA playoffs and finals, the most cost effective way is with Sling TV. The low-cost cable streamer's Orange tier includes games on ESPN and TNT, while the Orange + Blue tier includes games on ABC (certain markets).

Watch games on ESPN and TNT: Sling TV Orange Tier (first 3 months), $30/mo. (reduced from $40)
Watch games on ESPN, TNT and ABC: Sling TV Orange + Blue Tier (first 3 months), $45/mo. (reduced from $55)

Get $10 off at SlingTV

NBA conference final game schedule

Don't miss a single moment of the NBA playoffs, starting with the conference finals tonight. The Western Conference games will all air on ESPN, with the exception of Game 3, which is airing on ABC. The Eastern Conference games will all be shown on TNT.

Don't have cable TV? Luckily, Sling TV carries both TNT and ESPN so you can watch those games live. Many markets carry ABC as well.

Schedule for the 2023 Eastern Conference finals (No. 8 Miami Heat vs. No. 2 Boston Celtics)

Game 2: Friday, May 19 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on TNT [Watch it on Sling]
Game 3: Sunday, May 21 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on TNT
Game 4: Tuesday, May 23 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on TNT
*Game 5: Thursday, May 25 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on TNT
*Game 6: Saturday, May 27 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on TNT
*Game 7: Monday, May 29 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on TNT

Schedule for the 2023 Western Conference finals (No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 1 Denver Nuggets)

Game 3: Saturday, May 20 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on ABC
Game 4: Monday May 22 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN
*Game 5: Wednesday, May 24 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN
*Game 6: Friday, May 26 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN
*Game 7: Sunday, May 28 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN

*These games will only be played if needed.

The NBA finals will begin on Sunday, June 1 at 8:30 p.m. EDT. When the conference finals are complete, all games of the NBA finals 2023 will be shown on ABC.

Watch on Sling TV

Watch the 2023 NBA conference finals on Sling TV

2023 NBA Playoffs - Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets — Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images

The best and most affordable way to watch the 2023 NBA playoff games airing on ESPN and TNT is through Sling TV. The most budget-friendly tier that includes TNT and ESPN, Orange, is only $40 a month. The Orange + Blue tier gives you access to the maximum amount of live sports, including NFL Network, ABC, Fox and NBC broadcasts, for $55 per month. You'll get 50 hours of DVR storage to record all the games you want.

There's no contract, but Sling TV is offering the first three months for $10 off if you commit to three months. So you'll only need to pay $30 right now to get access to TNT and ESPN with Sling Orange, or $45 for the Orange + Blue tier.

Don't have a smart TV to watch Sling TV on? Not a problem: Right now Sling TV is offering subscribers a free Amazon Fire TV Stick to use.

Get $10 off your first 3 months

Watch the NBA Finals on a digital antenna

If you're worried about being able to access the games that will be playing on ABC, like Game 3 of the Western Conference finals or the NBA finals, you can get a digital antenna to access your local TV stations, which will include ABC. While Sling TV does carry ABC in several of its large markets, the antenna will give you peace of mind so that you won't have to miss a single game of the NBA playoffs.

This one supports smart TVs in 1080p, 4K and 8K displays and works with older models too. It's also currently discounted at Amazon. Buy now and it will arrive before Game 3 between the Lakers and the Nuggets airs on ABC.

Roainey digital TV antenna with amplifier signal booster, $27 after coupon (down from $40)

$27 at Amazon

Hulu + Live TV bundle

It's not as affordable as Sling TV, but the Hulu + Live TV bundle has a huge library of content thanks to their partnerships with Disney and ESPN. In the bundle, both Disney+ and ESPN+ are included and it's totally ad-free. If you want it all, get the Hulu + Live TV bundle.

Sign up for the Hulu + Live TV with ESPN+ and Disney+ bundle, $70 a month

Get Hulu + Live TV, $70

FuboTV

FuboTV is a sports-centric streaming services that has live TV events for almost every sport imaginable, including international ones, plus over 100 other channels. Did we mention that they give you 1,000 hours of DVR space as well? Get a free seven-day trial by signing up here.

FuboTV, starting at $75 a month

$$75 and up at FuboTV

DirecTV Stream

DirecTV streams all the networks a sports fan could want, including NBC, Fox, ESPN and more. No matter what your viewing needs are, DirecTV Stream should have a monthly package that will serve you. Prices on DirecTV Stream services start at $65 a month for the first three months, then $75 a month thereafter.

DirecTV Stream, $65 and up per month

$65 at DirecTV Stream

The best TV deals ahead of the NBA playoffs

724a0f4a-3c6c-40f9-a6f6-5c533d580b47-f6016b77024af670188f14df8f54870f1.jpg — Walmart

Looking for a new television for all your sports watching needs? Watch the NBA playoffs on a smart TV. We've rounded up some great deals for the latest in high-quality TV technology.