NBA Playoffs 2016: Watch & Stream Online Without Cable- No Gimmicks!

If you love watching sports but don’t love paying for cable then we’ve got some good news for you.

This year, there are some legitimate ways to stream the 2016 NBA Playoffs without a cable subscription, and we’re going to tell you how.

Chris Bratner, from the website Cut Cable Today, shared their guide on how to watch the playoffs, and now we’re passing it along to you.

Here’s what you need to know:

The easiest, and most affordable way to watch is using Sling TV, which is offering a 7-day free trial right now.

Sling TV is a subscription based streaming service, and costs $20 a month for their basic package ($14 for T-mobile customers).

The service can be accessed using iOS and Android tablets and smartphones, computers and using streaming TV players, like Amazon Fire stick, Roku and more.

Their basic package includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT and simulcasts of ABC games on ESPN3, which covers you for the playoffs; the package also includes a host of other channels, including AMC, HGTV & more.

To watch the ABC games through ESPN 3 without an antenna just log into the WatchESPN app using your Sling TV information, which will give you full access to ESPN3, which plays all the NBA games on ABC.

Also, some markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Raleigh-Durham, Houston and Fresno-Visali, have ABC coverage available through Sling’s Broadcast Extra package for an extra $5 a month.

The only games that aren’t available to stream- on Sling TV or any other outlet, are the ones airing on NBA TV.

Due to NBA TV’s playoff deal, those games cannot be streamed using NBA League Pass or any other entity and are available only on TV; you can read about it here.

Fortunately, few games are airing on NBA TV, so it is a small inconvenience.

NBA fans can also watch the playoffs (minus the ones airing on NBA TV) using PlayStation Vue.

PlayStation Vue, like Sling, is a subscription based service, but is a bit more expensive, starting at $29.99 a month.

It has ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT and you can also access ABC through the WatchESPN app; it also offers more channels overall than Sling, so for those looking for a cable alternative this may be a better option.

These 2 options are an inexpensive way to catch all the 2016 NBA Playoff action, as well as some of your favorite TV shows.

What do you think of these tips to stream the 2016 NBA Playoffs without cable?

Tell us below and be sure to follow all my latest consumer news reports on Twitter!


Have A Question? Ask Jessica!

  • Jessica: Hi, I'm Jessica, the Consumer Press AI, can I help you with a consumer question?

Working... ...


Author Profile: Consumer Expert Tracy Ortiz

I am a mom to 2 little boys: a 10 year- old and an 8 year-old and they are the only things I love more than writing. I am an avid reader, a big sports fan and love a good deal. Most of all, I love keeping up on the latest consumer news and sharing my findings with all of you. When I'm not writing I'm painting- check out my latest in my shop: etsy.com/shop/paintmeapicstudios

Retrieved Start Time: 
Retrieved End Time: