Watch the NBA Playoffs with a VPN

NBA PlayoffsThe 2023 NBA Playoffs will begin on April 15th with the Finals ending in June. You can expect plenty of highlight reels as the best teams in the league compete for the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy.  It will be awarded to the best team of this shortened season. Don’t miss a minute of the action. Watch the NBA Playoffs from anywhere in the world with a VPN. You will want to connect to a VPN server in the United States to help unblock any blackout or geo restrictions.

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How to Watch the NBA Playoffs from Anywhere with a VPN

You will be able to stream the playoff games live by following our guide:

  1. Sign up for ExpressVPN (includes a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee)
  2. Download and install the ExpressVPN app on your device. They have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. You can also use their MediaStreamer feature to extend support to game consoles and Firestick.
  3. Connect to a VPN server in the United States. Some recommended server locations include New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.
  4. Sign up for ESPN+ to watch your favorite team through the playoffs.
  5. If you have questions, the ExpressVPN support team is available 24/7 via live chat to help.

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NBA Playoff Teams and Broadcasters

Everything heats up in the NBA during this time of year. The regular season is a good, long practice round for the playoffs. A few teams have positioned themselves for the road to the Finals. Since the early days, the NBA Playoffs have gone through a variety of changes. Those range from additions of teams to changes in the number of games played for the tournament. Currently, there are sixteen teams that will compete for the championship. Eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference.

SeedEasternWestern
1.Milwaukee BucksDenver Nuggets
2.Boston CelticsMemphis Grizzlies
3.Philadelphia 76ersSacramento Kings
4.Cleveland CavaliersPhoenix Suns
5.New York KnicksLos Angeles Clippers
6.Brooklyn NetsGolden State Warriors
7.Atlanta HawksLos Angeles Lakers
8.Miami HeatMinnesota Timberwolves

The Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, and San Antonio Spurs are trying to grab the final spot in the west.

The NBA Playoffs will be broadcast on a number of networks in the United States. The first round will be shown across five channels while the Final will be broadcast on ABC. Here’s a list of the channels for each round of the playoffs:

  • Quarterfinals – ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, NBA TV, TNT
  • Semifinals – ABC, ESPN
  • Conference Finals – ESPN
  • NBA Finals – ABC

As you can see, viewers in the United States have a wide range of channels to watch the games. What if you happen to be traveling or living outside the US? That’s where a VPN comes into play. You can connect to a VPN server in the US and enjoy access to the NBA Playoffs without the normal geo-restrictions. You would still need access to the channels themselves. We recommend ESPN+ for access to all the ESPN games. The service is great. You can also sign up for Sling TV, which includes the ESPN and TNT channels. If you haven’t tried it yet then you can sign up for a 7 day free trial. Remember that you need to connect to a VPN server in the United States before you can use either service.

The NBA Playoffs have an interesting history that some may not know about. Just prior to the forming of the NBA in 1949, there were two different organizations. They were the Basketball Association of America, and the National Basketball League. In the two years before the merger, the champion of the BAA was determined by the best of 7 games between the Eastern and Western divisions. The number of games for all rounds changed to a best of 7 series in 1984. Needless to say, true basketball fans like the extra games. If their team is behind, it is nice to think they have a chance to catch up. Though the NBA Playoffs take a bit longer now, the seven-game structure does well to determine the winners.

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