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The NBA Finals tip off tonight with a must-see match-up between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks. We've compiled everything you need to know about how to watch Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1, including a free live streaming option.
The Celtics head into the finals on the heels of a stellar regular season (64-18) and a swift run through the Playoffs (12-2). They defeated the Heat and Cavaliers in Rounds 1 and 2 before sweeping the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Despite being no. 5 in the Western Conference during the regular season, the Mavs climbed to the top of the pack in the Playoffs, defeating no. 4 Clippers, no. 1 Thunder, and no. 3. Timberwolves over the past three rounds (for a 12-4 Playoffs record).
Keep reading to learn all of your watch options for Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1. And don't forget to bookmark our NBA Playoffs hub for info on future NBA Finals games.
- See also: How to watch NHL Playoffs | How to watch WNBA season | How to watch French Open
How to watch Mavericks vs. Celtics live stream in the US
Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1 will air on ABC in the US on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET. If you don't have cable, there are a couple of live streaming TV packages that can help you out today, including Sling TV and Fubo.
The cheapest option is Sling TV, where you can access ABC in select regions by subscribing to Sling Orange + Blue for $55 a month. The service is currently running a promo that will give you half off your first month, so you'll only need to cough up $27.50 before tax today. Sling's local channel coverage is selective, so you'll need to look up the channels available in your zip code prior to subscribing to see if ABC is available to you. According to Sling's local channels page, regions like New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Chicago are among those that get access to ABC.
For just the essentials without any extra fluff, Sling TV is the streaming service you're looking for. It's more customizable than other plans, with three options you can choose from, so you pay for only what you need. New members get their first month for $20 off.
You can also try Fubo, which is the more expensive option, but it tends to offer ABC availability in more areas. Fubo subscriptions start at $79.99 a month but come with a one-week free trial. As always, you'll want to double-check that you can get ABC by looking up channel offerings with your zip code.
Fubo is the streaming service for sports fans. Its huge library of channels includes regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from the competition. You can also tack on additional programming to your plan, but it'll cost you extra.
How to watch Mavericks vs. Celtics live stream in the UK
Mavericks vs. Celtics Game 1 will air on BBC One in the UK on Friday at 1:30 a.m. BST. Since it's on the BBC One broadcast schedule, it should be available to stream simultaneously on BBC iPlayer. You'll also be able to watch it afterward or the morning after if you don't want to stay up that late. BBC iPlayer is a free service that only requires account creation.
How to watch Mavericks vs. Celtics live stream from anywhere
If you'll be outside the UK when the game airs, you can still try watching it using a VPN (virtual private network). VPNs are handy ways to temporarily change your device's virtual location so that you can keep up with all of your usual websites from anywhere. They're especially popular among those hoping to boost their online privacy and keep up with their usual apps and sites while traveling abroad.
Our go-to recommendation is ExpressVPN. It's easy to use, and if you find that it's not helping you stream, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee. Our ExpressVPN review has all the details, and we've outlined how to use it below.
With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that makes it exceptional. Better yet, you can save up to 49% and get an extra three months for free today.
How to watch Mavericks vs. Celtics live stream with a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don't already have one.
- Install it on the device you're planning to watch on.
- Turn it on and set it to a UK location.
- Sign up for a BBC iPlayer account and enjoy the game.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
Streaming and Deals Editorial Fellow
Lillian Brown is a Streaming and Deals Editorial Fellow for Business Insider. She joined the company in early 2024 and focuses on 'how to watch' guides for streaming services and live events for the Reviews team. She also covers VPN usage.Her entertainment writing has appeared in a variety of publications, including Vulture, TV Guide, Time, Esquire, and The Daily Beast, among others. She specializes in writing about film and television. Previously, she worked in the Living/Arts department of The Boston Globe.When not teaching people how to stream the best live sports and TV shows, Lillian can be found long-distance running, watching the latest season of For All Mankind, or playing through The Last of Us Part II on her PS4 yet again.
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