How to watch the NBA playoffs on Apple devices

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How to watch NBA playoffs 2017
Ready to catch some hoops?
Photo: Brady Frieden/Unsplash CC

By Chris Brantner, guest blogger

The NBA playoffs are upon us again! At this point, it could be anyone’s championship, which makes watching all the more interesting. Who will rise to compete in the final games, and who looks likely to fall?

If you plan to watch the NBA playoffs on your Apple device, you’re in luck. Whether you’re using your Mac or your iPhone, there are several options for both cable users and cord cutters.

Ways to watch the NBA playoffs with Apple devices

The WatchESPN app: Using your cable or streaming login, the WatchESPN app will give you access to ESPN, ESPN2 and any games on ABC. The app will send those games right to the device of your choice. This is one of the best options for the games airing on the ESPN family of networks.

The TNT app: If you want to watch the games on TNT, all you need to do is log in with your cable info and you’ll be able to watch NBA playoffs live streaming. One of the cool things about watching TNT online is that you get East Coast and West Coast access. Miss an East Coast game? You can always watch it later.

DIRECTV NOW: If you don’t have cable, DIRECTV NOW will let you watch ESPN, TNT, ABC, ESPN2 and many other channels for $35 a month. DIRECTV NOW offers four package options, and the larger packages include options like NBA TV and ESPNews. You can watch on Apple TV and on iOS devices. A seven-day trial is available.

Sling TV: For $20 a month, plus a $5 add-on subscription, you can get all the channels you need to watch the NBA playoffs. Along with ESPN and ESPN2, Sling TV Orange (which costs $20 per month) provides ESPN3, which will air the complete list of ABC games. With the sports add-on ($5 per month), you’ll also get ESPNews and NBA TV. Sling TV also offers additional add-on packages, including HBO. You can watch Sling TV on Apple TV, Mac and iOS devices. A seven-day trial is available to new subscribers.

PlayStation Vue: Sony’s streaming platform offers packages starting at $30. This basic PlayStation Vue package includes ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN3, along with TNT. If you upgrade to one of the three larger packages, you can also get NBA TV. PlayStation Vue works on iOS devices, though its mobile restrictions can shut you down when you’re away from home. (Using the WatchESPN app can get around that blockage, at least where ABC and ESPN games are concerned.) PS Vue offers a five-day trial offer.

That’s really all there is to it. It’s simple to watch the NBA playoffs with Apple because there are so many apps that will be streaming the games. Whether you have cable or not, there’s no reason to miss the NBA playoffs. May the best team win!

Chris Brantner founded Cut Cable Today, a website for cord cutters.

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