NBA Conference Finals 2023: How to watch Lakers vs. Nuggets tonight
The NBA playoffs are in full swing. Conference finals start tonight and will continue on now until May 29 if needed. First up is Game 1 of the Western Conference, where the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Denver Nuggets at 8:30 p.m. EDT (5:30 p.m. PDT) on Tuesday, May 16. Tomorrow, the Miami Heat plays against the Boston Celtics for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference.
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 get access to ESPN live:
Sling TV Orange + Blue Tier (first month), $45 (reduced from $55)
Who's playing in the 2023 NBA conference finals
With the NBA semifinals over, we're down to the 2023 NBA conference finals. In the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers while the Miami Heat ousted the New York Knicks, so the Heat and the Celtics will take each other on in the NBA's best-of-seven elimination tournament.
Meanwhile in the Western Conference semifinals, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James, eliminated the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets won against the Phoenix Suns. We'll see the first matchup of the Nuggets versus the Lakers tonight. (If you want to record this game tonight, Sling TV offers 50 hours of DVR storage.)
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 Western Conference finals (No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 1 Denver Nuggets)
- Game 1: Tuesday, May 16 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN
- Game 2: Thursday, May 18 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN
- 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
Schedule for the 2023 Eastern Conference finals (No. 8 Miami Heat vs. No. 2 Boston Celtics)
- Game 1: Wednesday, May 17 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on TNT
- Game 2: Friday, May 19 at 8:30 p.m. EDT on TNT
- 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
*These games will only be played if needed.
What about the rest of the playoffs?
The NBA draft lottery will also begins tonight, which will air on ESPN. Finally the NBA final 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.
How can I watch the 2023 NBA conference finals?
The best and most affordable way to watch the 2023 NBA playoff games airing on ESPN is through Sling TV. The most budget-friendly tier that includes ESPN, Orange, is only $40 a month. The Orange + Blue tier gives you access to the maximum amount of live sports, including not only ESPN but 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. You can cancel at any time. Best of all? They're offering the first month for $10 off. So you only need to pay $30 right now to get access to 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.
Sling TV Orange + Blue tier, $45 (reduced from $55) for your first month
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)
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
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
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
The best TV deals ahead of the NBA playoffs
Looking for a new television for all your sports watching needs? Watch the 2023 March Madness tournament on a smart TV. We've rounded up some great deals for the latest in high-quality TV technology.
- 85" Samsung "The Frame" QLED 4K smart TV, $2,775 (down from $4,298)
- 75" Philips LED class 4K smart Google TV, $598 (down from $668)
- 65" LG OLED class 4K B2 series smart TV, $1,297 (down from $2,300)
- 58" Hisense LED Roku smart TV, $268 (down from $338)
- 55" Samsung Q70A series 4K QLED smart TV, $749 (down from $1000)
- 53" Hisense HDR Roku smart TV, $228 (down from $258)
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