Where to watch NBA Playoff first-round games: Free livestream, TV, schedule
The first round of the NBA Playoffs will begin this weekend. Fans can watch each NBA Playoff game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling offers a first-month discount to new users.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers were two of the best teams in the NBA this season, as both teams lost less than 20 games.
The Thunder earned the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, while the Cavaliers clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Both teams will play their first game on Sunday, as they battle against the winners from the NBA Play-In Tournament.
NBA Playoffs Western Conference First Round Schedule:
No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 4 Denver Nuggets (Watch live with DirecTV Stream and Sling)
| Game Number | Date | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Saturday, April 19 | 2:30 p.m. CT | ESPN |
| Game 2 | Monday, April 21 | 9 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 3 | Thursday, April 24 | 9 p.m. CT | NBA TV |
| Game 4 | Saturday, April 26 | 5 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | Tuesday, April 29 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | Thursday, May 1 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | Saturday, May 3 | TBD | TBD |
No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers (Watch live with DirecTV Stream and Sling)
| Game Number | Date | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Saturday, April 19 | 7:30 p.m. CT | ABC |
| Game 2 | Tuesday, April 22 | 9 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 3 | Friday, April 25 | 8:30 p.m. CT | ESPN |
| Game 4 | Sunday, April 27 | 2:30 p.m. CT | ABC |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | Wednesday, April 30 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | Friday, May 2 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | Sunday, May 4 | TBD | TBD |
No. 2 Houston Rockets vs. No. 7 Golden State Warriors (Watch live with DirecTV Stream and Sling)
| Game Number | Date | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sunday, April 20 | 8:30 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 2 | Wednesday, April 23 | 8:30 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 3 | Saturday, April 26 | 7:30 p.m. CT | ABC |
| Game 4 | Monday, April 28 | 9 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | Wednesday, April 30 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | Friday, May 2 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | Sunday, May 4 | TBD | TBD |
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies (Watch live with DirecTV Stream and Sling)
| Game Number | Date | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sunday, April 20 | 12 p.m. CT | ABC |
| Game 2 | Tuesday, April 22 | 6:30 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 3 | Thursday, April 24 | 8:30 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 4 | Saturday, April 26 | 2:30 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | Monday, April 28 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | Thursday, May 1 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | Saturday, May 3 | TBD | TBD |
NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference First Round Schedule:
No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 4 Indiana Pacers (Watch live with DirecTV Stream and Sling)
| Game Number | Date | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Saturday, April 19 | 12 p.m. CT | ESPN |
| Game 2 | Tuesday, April 22 | 6 p.m. CT | NBA TV |
| Game 3 | Friday, April 25 | 7 p.m. CT | ESPNU/NBA TV |
| Game 4 | Sunday, April 27 | 8:30 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | Tuesday, April 29 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | Friday, May 2 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | Sunday, May 4 | TBD | TBD |
No. 6 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 3 New York Knicks (Watch live with DirecTV Stream and Sling)
| Game Number | Date | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Saturday, April 19 | 5 p.m. CT | ESPN |
| Game 2 | Monday, April 21 | 6:30 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 3 | Thursday, April 24 | 6 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 4 | Sunday, April 27 | 12 p.m. CT | ABC |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | Tuesday, April 29 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | Thursday, May 1 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | Saturday, May 3 | TBD | TBD |
No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Orlando Magic (Watch live with DirecTV Stream and Sling)
| Game Number | Date | Channel | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sunday, April 20 | 2:30 p.m. CT | ABC |
| Game 2 | Wednesday, April 23 | 6 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 3 | Friday, April 25 | 6 p.m. CT | ESPN |
| Game 4 | Sunday, April 27 | 6 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | Tuesday, April 29 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | Thursday, May 1 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | Saturday, May 3 | TBD | TBD |
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Miami Heat (Watch live with DirecTV Stream and Sling)
| Game Number | Date | Channel | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sunday, April 20 | 6 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 2 | Wednesday, April 23 | 6:30 p.m. CT | NBA TV |
| Game 3 | Saturday, April 26 | 12 p.m. CT | TNT |
| Game 4 | Monday, April 28 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | Wednesday, April 30 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | Friday, May 2 | TBD | TBD |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | Sunday, May 4 | TBD | TBD |