NBA fans don’t need cable TV to watch game five of the NBA finals in real time. You can stream live games on a number of platforms, and if streaming isn’t available in your location, you can still catch the game using a VPN.
Be sure to sort out your game-viewing options before tonight’s game, June 12, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, to see if the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat and win the series.
How to watch the NBA finals online
The Nuggets are up (3-1) over the Heat (1-3) going into game five. If Denver wins tonight’s game, the Nuggets will be the 2023 NBA champions.
You can watch game five of the finals play out in real time on cable network channels, but you don’t need cable for live viewing. Here’s where you can watch the NBA playoffs and finals:
- ABC
- ESPN
- TNT
- NBA TV
- Hulu + Live TV
- Fubo
- Sling Orange
- YouTubeTV
What are NBA blackouts?
NBA blackouts are restrictions against playing certain NBA games live. These blackouts, which are location-specific, occur when a broadcaster has the exclusive rights to air a sporting event.
During the 2023 NBA playoffs, fans in the U.S. and Canada can expect national or even local blackouts, even if they have cable packages or paid streaming services. You can enter your ZIP code at NBA.com to find information about blackouts in your area.
Unlock NBA League Pass blackouts with a VPN
Even if you have a subscription to NBA League Pass, including League Pass Premium or Team Pass, you might not be able to watch all live playoff games in your location. But you can still watch the NBA online around the globe with a VPN, even when there are blackouts. That’s because using VPN, or virtual private network, conceals your device location while you browse online.
Here’s how you can bypass the NBA League Pass blackouts with a VPN:
- Choose a VPN service: The best VPN provider is one that meets all your security and performance needs at a price you can afford.
- Download and install the app: Visit the provider’s website to download the app to your device(s).
- Sign in: Once you log in to your account, the VPN should automatically connect.
- Choose a server: Pick a server in a location that isn’t geo-restricted, or if available, a streaming-optimized server from your provider.
How to select the best VPN to stream the NBA
Choosing the right VPN is a task that shouldn’t be taken lightly since low-quality VPNs can jeopardize your device’s privacy and security. Here’s what to look for:
- Device compatibility: The app should be supported on all devices you use for streaming.
- Local access: The server must be able to do business in your location, without having to share your private information.
- Verification: Check online for positive ratings and customer reviews, and find out if the service is certified by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- Security: Look for features like AES-256 encryption, OpenVPN functionality, open-source software and a provider that accepts anonymous payments.
- Speed: Choosing superior connectivity means less streaming interruption.
- Ease-of-use: The interface should be easy for you to navigate.
- Customer service: Look for features like 24/7 customer support and live chat.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
You may be able to stream NBA games for free online by using a streaming service that offers a free trial. FuboTV, for example, offers a free seven-day trial for subscriptions.
Note: While a VPN can get you access to blacked-out games, it can’t grant you free access to streaming services.
You might have a hard time streaming NBA TV games with a free VPN, since free VPNs often have limited data capacity. With TunnelBear’s free VPN, for example, you only get 2GB of data, but an hour of streaming on a platform like Disney+ could require up to 2.5 GB on a mobile device and 7.7 GB on a Smart TV or other TV-connected device.
You can visit our NBA schedule page for game dates, times, live updates on scores, stats and more.
Game five of the NBA finals takes place tonight, June 12, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
If the Nuggets lose tonight’s game, game six will be on Thursday, June 15, and game seven will be Sunday, June 18, if necessary.
For reference, here is a full breakdown of the final’s schedule.
| Location | Time | Score | |
| Game 1 | Ball Arena, Denver, CO | 8:30 p.m. ET | Nuggets 104, Heat 93 |
| Game 2 | Ball Arena, Denver, CO | 8:00 p.m. ET | Heat 111, Nuggets 108 |
| Game 3 | Kaseya Center, Miami, FL | 8:30 p.m. ET | Nuggets 109, Heat 94 |
| Game 4 | Kaseya Center, Miami, FL | 8:30 p.m. ET | Nuggets 108, Heat 95 |
| Game 5 | Ball Arena, Denver, CO | 8:30 p.m. ET | – |
| Game 6 | Kaseya Center, Miami, FL | 8:30 p.m. ET | – |
| Game 7 | Ball Arena, Denver, CO | 8:00 p.m. ET | – |