Getty Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics
The No. 3 Boston Celtics and No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers get their playoff journeys underway as they face off Monday in Orlando for Game 1.
Game 1 starts at 6:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN. But if you don’t have cable, here’s how to watch a live stream of the game online:
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Watch ESPN on FuboTV
As of August 1, ESPN is one of the 107 live TV channels included in the main FuboTV bundle, which comes with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch ESPN and the 76ers vs Celtics live on your computer via the FuboTV website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, or other supported device via the FuboTV app.
If you can’t watch live, FuboTV comes with 30 hours of cloud DVR space, as well as a 72-hour look-back feature, which allows you to watch the game on-demand within three days of its conclusion, even if you don’t record it.
Watch ESPN on Sling TV
ESPN is one of 31 channels included in the Sling Orange package. It costs $20 for the first month and $30 per month after that. If you want the cheapest way to watch as much NBA playoff basketball as possible, this is the best option, as it also includes TNT (Sling Orange) and NBA TV (Sling Orange plus Sports Extra add-on):
Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch ESPN and the 76ers vs Celtics live on your computer via the Sling TV website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, or other streaming device via the Sling TV app.
If you can’t watch live, Sling TV comes included with 10 hours of cloud DVR.
Watch ESPN on Vidgo
ESPN is one of 68 total channels included with Vidgo. This is the cheapest long-term option with ESPN, and it comes with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for Vidgo, you can then watch ESPN and the 76ers vs Celtics live on your computer via the Vidgo website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV or other compatible streaming device via the Vidgo app.
Watch ESPN on Hulu With Live TV
ESPN is included in Hulu With Live TV, which comes with 60-plus live TV channels and Hulu’s extensive on-demand library of TV shows and movies. You can watch immediately with a seven-day free trial:
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch ESPN and the 76ers vs Celtics live on your computer via the Hulu website, or on your phone (Android and iPhone supported), tablet, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Echo Show, or other streaming device via the Hulu app.
If you can’t watch live, Hulu with Live TV comes with both its extensive on-demand library and 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage (with the ability to upgrade to “Enhanced Cloud DVR,” which gives you 200 hours of DVR space and the ability to fast forward through commercials).
76ers vs Celtics Game 1 Preview
The Boston Celtics are eager for a chance at a deep playoff run after being bounced in the Conference Semifinals in five games against the Milwaukee Bucks. But their first matchup against a hungry Philadelphia squad headlined by Joel Embiid won’t make it easy.
“We’ve been looking at Philly obviously with the idea that they’re a likely opponent,” said coach Brad Stevens. “And they’re a heck of a team.”
The Sixers were also bounced in the second round by the eventual champion Toronto Raptors.
“Now is our moment,” said Sixers coach Brett Brown. “Now is our time to be recognized. … I’m happy with the way we’re playing the game — I think there’s a great unity within the group.”
The Sixers won three of four matchups this season, but the Celtics took the most recent matchup 116-95.
The game will also mark a reunion for Al Horford against his former squad, which he surprisingly left Boston in free agency last offseason.
“Starting alongside Embiid the last few games I’ve watched, Al’s an excellent player. Al knows how to play, an excellent player at both ends,” Stevens said. “He understands what they’re trying to accomplish as a team. Obviously had great regular season and playoff moments for us. We obviously have the utmost respect for him and understand all the things he brings to the table.”
The Sixers will be without All-Star Ben Simmons, who suffered a season-ending knee injury during the seeding games. But Stevens has seen quite a bit out of Philly offensively since Simmons has been on the sideline.
“In the games Simmons hasn’t played they’re the No. 1 offense in the league,” Stevens said. “The spacing, the shooting around Embiid posting, playing big with Embiid and Al, small with one of those two guys at the five and a bunch of shooters around them, makes them very tough, super physical, well-coached, good basketball team. Obviously everybody talks about their frontcourt and rightfully so with Harris, Horford, and Embiid, but they have a lot of good players on that team.”