NBA Conference Finals 2023: How to watch Heat vs. Celtics Game 5 tonight

D.A. Varela/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

The NBA playoffs are on their way to the final championship games. The conference finals began last week and will continue through May 29 if needed. Tonight is Game 5 of the Eastern Conference, where the Miami Heat (3-1) take on the Boston Celtics at 8:30 p.m. EDT (5:30 p.m. PDT) on Thursday, May 25. On Monday, the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the Western Conference, so they'll be facing either the Miami Heat or the Boston Celtics in the finals, if the Celtics can make a three-games-in-a-row comeback.

These NBA conference finals 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 these plus the NBA finals games airing 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 remaining Eastern Conference games will all be shown on TNT. Meanwhile, the NBA draft lottery games are also happening right now -- and all of these games are being aired on ESPN.

Don't have cable TV? Luckily, Sling TV carries both ESPN and TNT 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 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.

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

John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel/Tribune News Service 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 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 the NBA finals start in June.

Roainey digital TV antenna with amplifier signal booster, $26 after coupon (down from $40)

$26 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.