Getty Giannis Antetokounmpo looks to lead the Bucks past the Bulls.
Defending NBA champion Milwaukee tips off its playoff run against Chicago in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, which begins on Sunday, April 17.
Game 1 (6:30 p.m. ET start time) will be televised on TNT, while the rest of the games in the series will be on ABC, TNT, ESPN or NBA TV. But if you don’t have cable, here are some different ways you can watch a live stream of the Bulls vs Bucks online:
Note: Heavy may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up via a link on this page
DirecTV Stream
Note: You can watch every game of the series with DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream has four different channel packages: “Entertainment,” “Choice,” “Ultimate” and “Premier.” ABC, ESPN and TNT are included in every one, while NBA TV is in “Choice” and up, but you can pick any package and any add-on you want with your free five-day trial:
Once signed up for DirecTV Stream, you can watch the Bulls vs Bucks live on the DirecTV Stream app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the DirecTV Stream website.
You can also watch games via the ESPN or TNT apps or websites. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but if you don’t have that, you can use your DirecTV Stream credentials to log in and watch.
Sling TV
Note: You can watch every game of the series with Sling TV
ESPN, ESPN3 (which simulcasts the ABC games) and TNT are included in Sling TV’s “Sling Orange” bundle, while NBA TV is in the “Sports Extra” add-on. This option doesn’t include a free trial, but it’s the cheapest long-term streaming service with the channels needed to watch the NBA playoffs, plus you can get $10 off your first month:
Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch the Bulls vs Bucks live on the Sling TV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), airTV Mini, Oculus, Portal, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Sling TV website.
You can also watch games via the ESPN or TNT apps or websites. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but if you don’t have that, you can use your Sling credentials to log in and watch.
FuboTV
Note: You won’t be able to watch the games on TNT
You can watch a live stream of ABC, ESPN, NBA TV and 100-plus other live TV channels on FuboTV. You’ll need the “Sports Plus” add-on for NBA TV, but you can include the main package and any add-ons with your free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch the Bulls vs Bucks live on the FuboTV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the FuboTV website.
You can also watch the ESPN games via their app or website. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but if you don’t have that, you can use your Fubo credentials to log in and watch.
Hulu With Live TV
Note: You won’t be able to watch the games on NBA TV
You can watch a live stream of ABC, ESPN, TNT and 65+ other TV channels via Hulu With Live TV, which now also includes both ESPN+ and Disney+ as part of the bundle:
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch the Bulls vs Bucks live on the Hulu app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, Nintendo Switch, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Hulu website.
You can also watch games via the ESPN or TNT apps or websites. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but if you don’t have that, you can use your Hulu credentials to log in and watch.
Bulls vs Bucks Preview
Milwaukee (51-31) begins its title defense as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks look to become the first team to repeat since the Golden State Warriors.
“The guys know we have a special group and we have a special opportunity,” Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said via The Associated Press.
The No. 6 seed Chicago Bulls (46-36), which ended a four-year playoff drought, will look to unseat the defending champion Bucks.
The Bulls stumbled down the stretch with four-straight losses but closed out the regular season with a 124-120 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 10. The Bucks won three-straight late in the regular season before the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the defending champs 133-115 on April 10.
“At the end of the day, the mindset doesn’t change,” Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo said via The Associated Press. “Enjoy the game as much as possible because we worked hard for this moment. We can’t take this moment for granted.”
Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks in scoring and rebounding with a double double of 29.9 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Antetokounmpo also averages 1.4 blocks, 1.1 steals, and 5.8 assists per night.
“He doesn’t settle,” Bucks guard George Hill said of Antetokounmpo via The Associated Press. “One thing I do know about him: Him winning a championship doesn’t define who he is. He’s still in there every day, every morning, every night working his butt off to get better. He still feels like he has a lot to prove.”
Khris Middleton, the team’s second-leading scorer, averages 20.1 points per contest. Middelton also posts 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
Jrue Holiday averages 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game for the Bucks. Bobby Portis tallies 14.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per night.
De’Mar DeRozan leads the Bulls in scoring with 27.9 points per game. DeRozan also averages 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists per contest.
Zach LaVine, the team’s second leading scorer, averages 24.4 points per night. LaVine also averages 4.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He makes his first playoff appearance after three seasons with the Wolves and five with the Bulls.
“It’s about time,” LaVine said via NBC Sports Chicago. “I’m excited. I’ve said this, everybody’s gotta play the cards they’re dealt, and it just took me a little longer than everybody else — and I didn’t cop out and go to a different team.”
Nikola Vucevi averages a double double of 17.6 points and 11 rebounds per contest. He also posts 3.2 assists, an assist, and a block per game.
Coby White scores 12.7 points per game for the Bulls. White also averages three rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.