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How to watch the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs game tonight: Game 5 streaming options, more

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Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball while being defended by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Kaseya Center on April 29, 2024 in Miami, Florida.  Megan Briggs/Getty Images

The Miami Heat head north tonight for a must-win game against the Boston Celtics. Jayson Tatum's Celtics team leads the series 3-1, which leaves the Heat facing elimination tonight if they don't leave TD Garden with a win.

Keep reading for how and when to watch tonight's high-pressure Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics game. 


How and when to watch the Heat vs. Celtics game

Game 5 of the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs series will be played on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT). The game will air on TNT and stream on Sling TV and the platforms featured below.


How to watch the Heat vs. Celtics game without cable

If your cable subscription doesn't carry TNT 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 Heat vs. Celtics game live. 

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

One of the most cost-effective ways to stream today's NBA playoff game is through a subscription to Sling TV. To watch today's game, you'll need a subscription to the Orange tier, which includes TNT and ESPN. For access to more NBA playoff games, upgrade to the Orange + Blue tier (recommended), which includes the games played on ABC.

The Orange tier is normally $40 per month, but Sling TV has an offer for new subscribers where you can get your first month for $15. The Orange + Blue tier costs $35 for your first month, and $60 per month after that. 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 live sports, including the NFL. 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:

  • There are 46 channels to watch in total, including ABC, ESPN and TNT.
  • You get access to NFL games airing on ESPN next season at the lowest price.
  • All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.

Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle: Watch the Heat vs. Celtics game live for free

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 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. Shipping is free with code 24SHIP ($24 minimum order required).


2024 NBA Playoffs: Full playoff schedule

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Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the second quarter against the Miami Heat in game three of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at Kaseya Center on April 27, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Megan Briggs/Getty Images

The first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs began on April 20.

First round schedule

Below are the dates, times and networks airing each game of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.  All times Eastern.

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: Heat vs. Celtics; Wednesday, May 1 (7:30 ET, TNT)
• Game 6: Celtics vs. Heat; Friday, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Heat vs. Celtics; Sunday, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*

* = If necessary

(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 6: Knicks vs. 76ers; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: 76ers vs. Knicks; TBD (TBD, TBD)*

* = If necessary

(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: Bucks vs. Pacers; Thursday, May 2 (6:30 ET, TNT)
• Game 7: Pacers vs. Bucks; TBD (TBD, TBD)*

(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: Cavaliers vs. Magic; Friday, May 3 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 7: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Sunday, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*

* = If necessary

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 vs. Clippers, Wednesday, May 1 (10 p.m. on TNT)
• Game 6: Clippers vs. Mavericks, TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Mavericks vs. Clippers, TBD (TBD, TBD)*

* = If necessary


Conference semifinals schedule

The conference semifinals will begin May 6-7, but can move up to May 4-5 if the prior round's series ends early.


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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