Heat vs Celtics live stream: how to watch 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals, Game 1

Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat
(Image credit: Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Watch a Heat vs Celtics live stream

The Heat vs Celtics (Game 1) will be live on TSN in the US. In Canada, fans can watch the game on Sportsnet. Aussies can tune in via Kayo, while Brits can watch on Sky Sports. Read on for full details of how to watch the Heat vs Celtics in Game 1 of their 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals series.

Heat vs Celtics TV schedule

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Game 1: Wed, May 17, 8.30pm ET – TNT, SN
Game 2: Fri, May 19, 8.30pm ET – TNT, TSN
Game 3: Sun, May 21, 8.30pm ET – TNT, SN
Game 4: Tue, May 23, 8.30pm ET – TNT, TSN
*Game 5: Thu, May 25, 8.30pm ET – TNT, SN
*Game 6: Sat, May 27, 8.30pm ET – TNT, TSN
*Game 7: Mon, May 29, 8.30pm ET – TNT, TSN
FREE stream: Kayo Sports FREE trial (AU)
Use ExpressVPN to watch any stream
US without cable: Sling 50% discount

Heat vs Celtics preview – Game 1

Few would deny that the Celtics are the strongest of the four teams left in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, but in order to earn the right to play for what would be an outright record 18th NBA Championship title, they're going to have to go through hell.

The Heat took down the Eastern Conference's top seed, Milwaukee, and have become masters at grinding down hotly-tipped opponents. Plus, in Jimmy Butler, they have one of the most clutch playoff stars of all time – and after that missed buzzer-beater against the Celtics at the same stage a year ago, he's got unfinished business to attend to.

Giving Jimmy Buckets the go-ahead to do his thing might not be the worst course of action that Erik Spoelstra could take, with Jayson Tatum in the form he's in. The Celtics star racked up 51 points in the decider against Philadelphia on Sunday, a record-breaking total for an NBA playoff decider.

Considering the way Jalen Brunson danced through the Heat defense on Friday, Miami can't bank on stopping Tatum. Their best form of defense may be all-out offense, but in order for that approach to work, Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson are going to have to be at the top of their games.

Here's how to watch a Heat vs Celtics live stream no matter where you are. Tip-off for Game 1 is at 8.30pm ET / 4.30pm PT on Wednesday.


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Heat vs Celtics live stream: watch NBA Playoffs in the US without cable

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In the US, the Heat vs Celtics (Game 1) is being shown live on TNT, with tip-off set for 8.30pm ET / 4.30pm PT on Wednesday. 

Watch Heat vs Celtics without cable

Coverage of the rest of the 2023 NBA Playoffs is split between TNT, ESPN, ABC/ESPN 3, and covering all of your bases isn't as tricky as it might seem, even if you don't want the commitment or expense of cable. 

<a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/sling-tv-explained" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"">Sling TV is a complete cable replacement service that includes TNT and ESPN in its Orange plan, with ABC coverage available via simulcasts on ESPN3.

It normally costs $40 per month but <a href="https://sling-tv.pxf.io/c/221109/1132376/14334?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fsling.com" data-link-merchant="sling-tv.pxf.io"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">new users get a half-price deal on their first month. 

Travelling abroad? <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Ftechradar-deal" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" data-link-merchant="sling-tv.pxf.io"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Use a VPN to watch Sling from outside the USA.

How to watch Heat vs Celtics from outside your country

If you're abroad right now and struggling to tap into your usual coverage of the NBA, you'll want a VPN. This'll help you circumvent the geo-blocking that will try to stop you from watching a Heat vs Celtics live stream in particular parts of the world.

They're a useful means of getting around this issue, are cheap, and are easy to set up as well. Here's how it's done.

Use a VPN to watch Heat vs Celtics from anywhere

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Sign up for an annual plan now and get an <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Ftechradar-deal" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">extra 3 months absolutely FREE. And if you change your mind within the first 30 days, let them know and they'll give you your money back without a quibble.

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How to watch Heat vs Celtics: live stream NBA Playoffs in the UK

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Basketball fans in the UK can watch the Heat vs Celtics, along with every remaining game of the NBA Playoffs, on <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=11005&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sky.com%2Fshop%2Ftv%2Fsports%2F" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sky Sports.

Prepare for a late night though, as tip-off is set for 1.30am BST on Wednesday night/Thursday morning. 

If you want to sign up for Sky Sports, you can check out our guide to <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/sky-tv-packages-deals-bundles-offers" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"">Sky TV deals and packages for today's best prices.

Don't fancy being locked into a long, expensive contract? Consider the more flexible streaming option, Now, (formerly Now TV). Now sports passes start at £11.99.

Alternatively, die-hard fans might want to check out the <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrack.webgains.com%2Fclick.html%3Fwglinkid%3D395487%26wgcampaignid%3D138485%26clickref%3Dtechradar&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - webgains.com"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">NBA League Pass, which starts at £14.99 after a <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrack.webgains.com%2Fclick.html%3Fwglinkid%3D395487%26wgcampaignid%3D138485%26clickref%3Dtechradar&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - webgains.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - webgains.com"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">7-day free trial, and will get you every remaining game.

Not in the UK but still want to catch the action? <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Ftechradar-deal" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - webgains.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - webgains.com"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="awin1.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Use a VPN to live stream the NBA as if you were at home.

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How to watch Heat vs Celtics: live stream NBA Playoffs in Canada

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In Canada, the Heat vs Celtics series, along with the entirety of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, are split between Sportsnet and TSN. Tip-off is set for 8.30pm ET / 4.30pm PT on Wednesday.

If you get TSN as part of your cable deal, you'll be able to log in with the details of your provider for access to a Heat vs Celtics live stream. If you don't, you can subscribe to TSN on a streaming-only basis for $19.99 a month or $199.90 per year.

An <a href="https://www.snnow.ca/" data-link-merchant="snnow.ca"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">SN Now subscription costs $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year. 

A Sportsnet Now Premium subscription costs $34.99 per month or $199.99 per year, and nets you WWE Network and coverage of the NHL, Bundesliga and FA Cup soccer, United Rugby Championship, Premiership Rugby, National Rugby League, and Super League Rugby.

If you're unable to tune in due to geo-blocking restrictions, <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Foffer%2Ftechradar-deal" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" data-link-merchant="snnow.ca"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">remember that a VPN is all you need to watch the action as you would at home.

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How to watch Heat vs Celtics for FREE: live stream NBA Playoffs in Australia

FREE 7-day trial

NBA fans in Australia can watch the Heat vs Celtics for free via <a href="https://goto.kayosports.com.au/c/338476/515039/8808?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fkayosports.com.au%2F" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kayo Sports, which offers all new users a <a href="https://goto.kayosports.com.au/c/338476/515039/8808?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fkayosports.com.au%2F" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">FREE 7-day trial.

Kayo lets you stream on one device with its One plan (AU$25/month), two devices with Basic (AU$30/month), and three devices Premium (AU$35 a month).

Kayo also gives you access to over 50 other sports including cricket, NHL, MLB, PGA Tour golf, NRL, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/how-to/watch-f1-live-stream" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" target="_self">Formula 1... the list goes on! Handy if you don't want to go all out on Fox.

The Heat vs Celtics game is also being shown on ESPN <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxtel.com.au&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - foxtel.com.au"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">via Foxtel, with tip-off set for 10.30am AEST on Thursday morning. 

Alternatively there's the <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrack.webgains.com%2Fclick.html%3Fwglinkid%3D395487%26wgcampaignid%3D138485%26clickref%3Dtechradar&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - webgains.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - foxtel.com.au"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">NBA League Pass, which starts at $21.99 for every remaining game of the season, after a <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=92X363&xcust=hawk-custom-tracking&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftrack.webgains.com%2Fclick.html%3Fwglinkid%3D395487%26wgcampaignid%3D138485%26clickref%3Dtechradar&sref" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - webgains.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - webgains.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - foxtel.com.au"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">7-day FREE trial.

Not in Australia right now? <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Fgo%2Fmlb" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - webgains.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - webgains.com"" data-link-merchant="SkimLinks - foxtel.com.au"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" data-link-merchant="goto.kayosports.com.au"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Use a VPN if you're away from home, in order to tap into your domestic coverage.

Aatif Sulleyman

Aatif is a freelance copywriter and journalist based in the UK. He’s written about technology, science and politics for publications including Gizmodo, The Independent, Trusted Reviews and Newsweek, but focuses on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: sport and penny-pinching.