Getting rid of cable doesn’t mean you have to miss out on watching the Miami Heat during the 2017-18 NBA season. You can still watch a legal live stream of any game, whether it’s on your computer, phone, tablet or other streaming device.
Heat games this season (complete schedule can be found here) will be broadcast on either Fox Sports Sun (local), ESPN (national), TNT (national), NBA TV (national) or ABC (national). Fortunately for cable-cutters, all of these channels can be watched online via a cable-free, live-streaming service.
There are several different options, depending on where you live.
For games that are nationally televised or games that are locally televised and you’re in the Heat market:
DirecTV Now’s “Live a Little” package includes ESPN (and ESPN3 for ABC games), and TNT. Fox Sports Sun is in the “Just Right” and higher packages, and NBA TV is in “Go Big” and higher packages.
Sling TV’s “Sling Orange” package includes ESPN (and ESPN3 for ABC games) and TNT, while the “Sports Extra” add-on has NBA TV. Fox Sports Sun is included in the “Sling Blue” package
For games that are locally televised and you aren’t in the Heat market:
NBA League Pass will allow you to watch all non-nationally televised, out-of-market games.
You can sign up for any of these services via the above links, and all with the exception of NBA League Pass offer a free seven-day trial, so you can try them out at no risk. Or, you can read on for a more thorough breakdown of what’s included, what devices you can watch on, and pricing information:
Nationally Televised Games & Local Games if You’re in the Heat Market: DirecTV Now
How to Sign Up: Go to the DirecTV Now website. Select “Start your free trial now”, create an account, and choose the channel package you want. You’ll need to enter your payment information, but you won’t be charged if you cancel before seven days
Price: $35 per month for “Live a Little”; $50 per month for “Just Right”; $60 per month for “Go Big”; $70 per month for “Gotta Have It”
Heat Channels Included: ESPN (all packages) ESPN3 for ABC games (all packages), TNT (all packages), Fox Sports Sun (“Just Right” and up), NBA TV (“Go Big” and up)
Total Channels Included: 60-plus in “Live a Little”; 80-plus in “Just Right”; 100-plus in “Go Big”; 120-plus in “Gotta Have It”
Cheapest Package to Get Every Heat Game: “Just Right” at $50 per month if you’re in the Heat market (NBA TV games are also broadcast on FS Sun, so you technically don’t need NBA TV if you’re local)
Apps You Can Use Your Credentials to Watch Games On: DirecTV Now, WatchESPN
Where You Can Watch: DirecTV Now website, Android smartphones and tablets, Apple smartphones and tablets, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox One (WatchESPN app only), PS4 (WatchESPN app only). More information can be found here
Nationally Televised Games & Local Games if You’re in the Heat Market: Sling TV
How to Sign Up: Go to the Sling TV website. Select “Watch Now 7 Days Free”, create an account, and choose the channel package you want. You’ll need to enter your payment information, but you won’t be charged if you cancel before seven days
Price: $20 per month for “Sling Orange”; $25 per month for “Sling Blue”; $40 per month for “Sling Orange + Blue”; $5 or $10 per month for “Sports Extra” add-on, depending on base bundle
Heat Channels Included: ESPN (“Sling Orange”) ESPN3 for ABC games (“Sling Orange”), TNT (“Sling Orange”), Fox Sports Sun (“Sling Blue” or “Sling Orange + Blue”), NBA TV (“Sports Extra” add-on)
Total Channels Included: 30-plus in “Sling Orange”; 14 in the “Sports Extra” add-on
Cheapest Package to Get Every Heat Game: “Sling Orange + Blue” at $40 per month if you’re in the Heat market (NBA TV games are also broadcast on FS Sun, so you technically don’t need NBA TV if you’re local)
Apps You Can Use Your Credentials to Watch Games On: DirecTV Now, WatchESPN
Where You Can Watch: Sling TV website, Android smartphones and tablets, Apple smartphones and tablets, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox One, PS4 (WatchESPN app only). More information can be found here
Local Games if You’re Outside the Heat Market: NBA League Pass
If you’re outside of the Heat market, you can watch all non-nationally televised games via NBA League Pass.
How to Sign Up: Go to the NBA League Pass website. Select “Get Started”, create an account, and choose the subscription you want
Price: $199.99 for the season to watch all teams; or $119.99 for the season to watch one team
Apps You Can Use Your Credentials to Watch Games On: NBA app
Where You Can Watch: NBA.com website, Android smartphones and tablets, Apple smartphones and tablets, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Xbox One, PlayStation 4. More information can be found here
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