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How to watch the Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs game tonight: Game 1 livestream options

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Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown and forward Jayson Tatum both go for a rebound in the first quarter. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The Indiana Pacers face the Boston Celtics today for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight. The Pacers are coming in hot off a Game 7 victory over the New York Knicks in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, while the Celtics are rested after their five-game series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the Pacers vs. Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.


How and when to watch the Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics Game 1

Game 1 of the Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs series will be played on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT). The game will air on ESPN and stream on Sling TV and the platforms featured below.


How to watch the Pacers vs. Celtics Game 1 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 Pacers 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 Orange tier, which includes access to ESPN and TNT. To level up your coverage and get access to NBA playoff games and the NBA Finals broadcast on ABC, subscribe to the Orange + Blue tier plan.

The Orange tier is $40 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.

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. To watch these games, plus PGA golf, UEFA Champions League and more live sports, we recommend you also subscribe to Paramount+ with Showtime. Paramount+ with Showtime costs $12 per month after a one-week free trial.

Note: CBS Essentials and Paramount+ with Showtime are both subsidiaries of Paramount.

Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:

  • Sling TV is our top choice to stream the NBA Playoffs.
  • There are 46 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 Pacers 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 $8 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 180 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.

Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle: Watch the Pacers 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.


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. Fanatics is offering 25% off sitewide (restrictions apply, use code SUMMER).


2024 NBA Playoffs: Full playoff schedule

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No. 32 Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Townes. Getty Images

Below is the schedule for the NBA conference finals. All times Eastern.

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston vs. (6) Indiana

• Game 1: Pacers vs. Celtics, Tuesday, May 21 (8:00 ET, ESPN)
• Game 2: Pacers vs. Celtics, Thursday, May 23 (8:00 ET, ESPN)
• Game 3: Celtics vs. Pacers, Saturday, May 25 (8:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 4: Celtics vs. Pacers, Monday, May 27 (8:00 ET, ESPN)
• Game 5: Pacers vs. Celtics, Wednesday, May 29 (8:00 ET, ESPN)*
• Game 6: Celtics vs. Pacers, Friday, May 31 (8:00 ET, ESPN)*
• Game 7: Pacers vs. Celtics, Sunday, June 2 (8:00 ET, ESPN)*

* = if necessary

Western Conference

3) Minnesota vs. (5) Dallas

• Game 1: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves, Wednesday, May 22 (8:30 ET, TNT)
• Game 2: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves, Friday, May 24 (8:30 ET, TNT)
• Game 3: Timberwolves vs. Mavericks, Sunday, May 26 (8:00 ET, TNT)
• Game 4: Timberwolves vs. Mavericks, Tuesday, May 28 (8:30 ET, TNT)
• Game 5: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves, Thursday, May 30 (8:30 ET, TNT)*
• Game 6: Timberwolves vs. Mavericks, Saturday, June 1 (8:30 ET, TNT)*
• Game 7: Mavericks vs. Timberwolves, Monday, June 3 (8:30 ET, TNT)*

* = if necessary


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 118, Celtics 94
• Game 3: Celtics 106, Cavaliers 93
• Game 4: Celtics 109, Cavaliers 102
• Game 5: Celtics 113, Cavaliers 98

Boston wins series 4-1

(2) New York vs. (6) Indiana

• Game 1: Knicks 121, Pacers 117
• Game 2: Knicks 130, Pacers 121
• Game 3: Pacers 111, Knicks 106
• Game 4: Pacers 121, Knicks 89
• Game 5: Knicks 121, Pacers 91
• Game 6: Pacers, 116, Knicks 103
• Game 7: Pacers 130, Knicks 109

Indiana wins series 4-3

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City vs. (5) Dallas

• Game 1: Thunder 117, Mavericks 95 
• Game 2: Mavericks 119, Thunder 110
• Game 3: Mavericks 105, Thunder 101
• Game 4: Thunder 100, Mavericks 96
• Game 5: Mavericks 104, Thunder 92
• Game 6: Mavericks 117, Thunder 116

Dallas wins series 4-2

(2) Denver vs. (3) Minnesota

• Game 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99
• Game 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80
• Game 3: Nuggets 117, Timberwolves 90
• Game 4: Nuggets 115, Timberwolves 107
• Game 5: Nuggets 112, Timberwolves 97
• Game 6: Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70
• Game 7: Timberwolves  98, Nuggets 90  

Minnesota wins series 4-3


First round schedule

Below are the results for the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Miami Heat

• Game 1: Celtics 114, Heat 94
• Game 2: Heat 111, Celtics 101
• Game 3: Celtics 104, Heat 84
• Game 4: Celtics 102, Heat 88
• Game 5: Celtics 118, Heat 84

(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers

• Game 1: Knicks 111, 76ers 104
• Game 2: Knicks 104, 76ers 101
• Game 3: 76ers 125, Knicks 114
• Game 4: Knicks 97, 76ers 92
• Game 5: 76ers 112, Knicks 106 (OT)
• Game 6Knicks 118, 76ers 115

(3) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Indiana Pacers

• Game 1: Bucks 109, Pacers 94
• Game 2: Pacers 125, Bucks 108
• Game 3: Pacers 121, Bucks 118
• Game 4: Pacers 126, Bucks 113
• Game 5: Bucks 115, Pacers 92
• Game 6: Pacers 120, Bucks 98 

(4) Cleveland vs. (5) Orlando

• Game 1: Cavaliers 97, Magic 83
• Game 2: Cavaliers 96, Magic 86
• Game 3: Magic 121, Cavaliers 83
• Game 4: Magic 112, Cavaliers 89
• Game 5: Cavaliers 104, Magic 103
• Game 6: Magic 103, Cavaliers 96 
• Game 7: Cavaliers 106, Magic 94

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans

• Game 1: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92
• Game 2: Thunder 124, Pelicans 92
• Game 3: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85
• Game 4: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89

(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers

• Game 1: Nuggets 114, Lakers 103
• Game 2: Nuggets 101, Lakers 99
• Game 3: Nuggets 112, Lakers 105
• Game 4: Lakers 119, Nuggets 108
• Game 5: Nuggets 108, Lakers 106

(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (6) Phoenix Suns

• Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95
• Game 2: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93
• Game 3: Timberwolves 129, Suns 109
• Game 4: Timberwolves 112, Suns 116

(4) LA Clippers vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks

• Game 1: Clippers 109, Mavericks 97
• Game 2: Mavericks 96, Clippers 93
• Game 3: Mavericks 101, Clippers 90
• Game 4: Clippers 116, Mavericks 111
• Game 5: Mavericks 123, Clippers 93
• Game 6: Mavericks 114, Mavericks 101


Conference finals schedule

The conference finals will begin May 21-22, but can move up to May 19-20 if the prior round's series ends early.


NBA Finals schedule

The 2024 NBA Finals will begin June 6, airing on ABC.

  • Sunday, June 9: Game 2
  • Wednesday, June 12: Game 3
  • Friday, June 14: Game 4
  • Monday, June 17: Game 5 (if necessary)
  • Thursday, June 20: Game 6 (if necessary)
  • Sunday, June 23: Game 7 (if necessary)

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