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How to watch the Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat NBA Playoffs game tonight: Game 3 livestream options, start time, more
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Game 3 of the Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat series is on tonight as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics head to Miami to face an ebullient Heat team, fresh off a 111-101 Game 2 victory. One of the most exciting matchups of Round 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, tonight’s game promises must-see basketball.
Don’t miss tonight’s game. Keep reading for everything you need to know about watching the Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat game.
How and when to watch the Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat game
Game 3 of the NBA Playoffs series between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat will be played on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT). The game will air on TNT and stream on Sling TV and the platforms featured below.
How to watch the Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat game without cable
If your cable subscription doesn’t carry TNT or you’ve cut the cord with your cable company, you can still watch today’s game. Below are the platforms on which you can watch today’s Celtics vs. Heat game live.
Save $25 on Sling TV: The most cost-effective way to stream the Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat game
One of the most cost-effective ways to stream today’s NBA playoff game is through a subscription to Sling TV. To watch today’s game, you’ll need a subscription to the Orange tier, which includes TNT and ESPN. For access to more NBA playoff games, upgrade to the Orange + Blue tier (recommended), which includes the games played on ABC.
The Orange tier is normally $40 per month, but Sling TV has an offer for new subscribers where you can get your first month for $15. The Orange + Blue tier costs $35 for your first month, and $60 per month after that. There’s also an NBA playoffs package deal where you can save $30 when you pre-pay for three months of service on any tier. You can cancel anytime.
Note: Because Sling TV doesn’t carry CBS, you won’t be able to watch CBS-aired live sports, including the NFL. If you’re looking for one live TV streaming platform to watch all your favorite sports, we suggest a subscription to Hulu + Live TV.
Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:
- There are 46 channels to watch in total, including ABC, ESPN and TNT.
- You get access to NFL games airing on ESPN next season at the lowest price.
- All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle: Watch the Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat game live for free
You can watch today’s game with the Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle. The bundle features 95 channels, including ABC, TNT, local network affiliates and ESPN. It also includes the ESPN+ streaming service. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch today’s game, the 2024 NBA playoffs, MLB this season and network-aired NFL games next season with Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle.
Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+. It’s priced at $77 after a three-day free trial.
The best place to get NBA Playoffs fan gear: Fanatics
Rooting from home is more fun while repping your team with the latest NBA fan gear. Fanatics is our first stop for the newest NBA fan gear, our go-to for the latest drop of NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals merch like jerseys, commemorative T-shirts, hats and more. Fanatics also has just-released NFL Draft jerseys, like No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams‘ new Chicago Bears jersey. Shipping is free with code 24SHIP ($24 minimum order required).
2024 NBA Playoffs: Full playoff schedule
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The first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs will start April 20.
First round schedule
Below are the dates, times and networks airing each game of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. All times Eastern.
Eastern Conference
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Miami Heat
• Game 1: Heat vs. Celtics; Sunday, April 21 (1 p.m. ET on ABC) Celtics 114-94
• Game 2: Heat vs. Celtics; Wednesday, April 24 (7 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV) Heat 111-101
• Game 3: Celtics vs. Heat; Saturday, April 27 (6 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV)
• Game 4: Celtics vs. Heat; Monday, April 29 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 5: Heat vs. Celtics; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Celtics vs. Heat; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Heat vs. Celtics; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
* = If necessary
(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
• Game 1: 76ers vs. Knicks; Saturday, April 20 (6 p.m. ET on ESPN) Knicks 111-104
• Game 2: 76ers vs. Knicks; Monday, April 22 (7:30 p.m. on TNT, TruTV) Knicks 104-101
• Game 3: Knicks vs. 76ers; Thursday, April 25 (7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV) 76ers 125-114
• Game 4: Knicks vs. 76ers; Sunday, April 28 (1 p.m. on ABC)
• Game 5: 76ers vs. Knicks; Tuesday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Knicks vs. 76ers; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: 76ers vs. Knicks; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
* = If necessary
(3) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Indiana Pacers
• Game 1: Pacers vs. Bucks; Sunday, April 21 (7 p.m. on TNT, TruTV) Bucks 109-94
• Game 2: Pacers vs. Bucks; Tuesday, April 23 (8:30 p.m. on NBA TV) Pacers 125-108
• Game 3: Bucks vs. Pacers; Friday, April 26 (5:30 p.m. on ESPN) Pacers 121-118
• Game 4: Bucks vs. Pacers; Sunday, April 28 (7 p.m. on TNT)
• Game 5: Pacers vs. Bucks; Tuesday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Bucks vs. Pacers; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Pacers vs. Bucks; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
* = If necessary
(4) Cleveland vs. (5) Orlando
• Game 1: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Saturday, April 20 (1 p.m. on ESPN) Cavaliers 97-83
• Game 2: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Monday, April 22 (7 p.m. on NBA TV) Cavaliers 96-86
• Game 3: Cavaliers vs. Magic; Thursday, April 25 (7 p.m. on NBA TV) Magic 121-83
• Game 4: Cavaliers vs. Magic; Saturday, April 27 (1 p.m. on TNT)
• Game 5: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Tuesday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Cavaliers vs. Magic; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Magic vs. Cavaliers; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
* = If necessary
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans
• Game 1: Pelicans vs. Thunder; Sunday, April 21 (9:30 p.m. ET on TNT, TruTV) OKC 94-92
• Game 2: Pelicans vs. Thunder; Wednesday, April 24 (9:30 p.m. on TNT, TruTV) OKC 124-92
• Game 3: Thunder vs. Pelicans; Saturday, April 27 (3:30 p.m. on TNT)
• Game 4: Thunder vs. Pelicans; Monday, April 29 (TBD, TBD)
• Game 5: Pelicans vs. Thunder; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Thunder vs. Pelicans; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Pelicans vs. Thunder; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
* = If necessary
(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers
• Game 1: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Saturday, April 20 (8 p.m. on ABC) Nuggets 114-103
• Game 2: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Monday, April 22 (10 p.m. on Spectrum Sportsnet+) Nuggets 101-99
• Game 3: Nuggets vs. Lakers; Thursday, April 25 (10 p.m. on Spectrum Sportsnet+) Nuggets 112-105
• Game 4: Nuggets vs. Lakers; Saturday, April 27 (8:30 p.m. on ABC)
• Game 5: Lakers vs. Nuggets; Monday, April 29 (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Nuggets vs. Lakers; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Lakers vs. Nuggets; TBD (TBD, TBD)*
= If necessary
(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
• Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95
• Game 2: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93
• Game 3: Timberwolves vs. Suns; Friday, April 26 (10:30 ET, ESPN)
• Game 4: Timberwolves vs. Suns; Sunday, April 28 (9:30 ET, TNT)
• Game 5: Suns vs. Timberwolves; Tuesday, April 30 (TBD, TNT)*
• Game 6: Timberwolves vs. Suns; Thursday, May 2 (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Suns vs. Timberwolves; Saturday, May 4 (TBD, TNT)*
* = If necessary
(4) LA Clippers vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks
• Game 1: Mavericks vs. Clippers; Sunday, April 21 (3:30 p.m. on ABC) Clippers 109-97
• Game 2: Mavericks vs. Clippers, Tuesday, April 23 (10 p.m. on Clippervision) Mavericks 96-93
• Game 3: Clippers vs. Mavericks, Friday, April 26 (8 p.m. on Clippervision)
• Game 4: Clippers vs. Mavericks, Sunday, April 28 (3:30 p.m. on ABC)
• Game 5: Mavericks vs. Clippers, TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 6: Clippers vs. Mavericks, TBD (TBD, TBD)*
• Game 7: Mavericks vs. Clippers, TBD (TBD, TBD)*
* = If necessary
Conference semifinals schedule
The conference semifinals will begin May 6-7, but can move up to May 4-5 if the prior round’s series ends early.
Conference finals schedule
The conference finals will begin May 21-22, but can move up to May 19-20 if the prior round’s series ends early.
NBA Finals schedule
The 2024 NBA Finals will begin June 6, airing on ABC.
- Sunday, June 9: Game 2
- Wednesday, June 12: Game 3
- Friday, June 14: Game 4
- Monday, June 17: Game 5 (if necessary)
- Thursday, June 20: Game 6 (if necessary)
- Sunday, June 23: Game 7 (if necessary)
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A government shutdown could occur on Dec. 21. Here’s what services and payments could be impacted.
With a federal spending bill now scrapped, the U.S. faces a possible government shutdown that could begin at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, when current funding is set to lapse. That raises questions about what types of services and payments could be impacted just days before the holidays.
A looming shutdown stems from controversy over a spending bill that would have extended funding through March 14, but which was nixed by House Speaker Mike Johnson after some Republicans — including President-elect Donald Trump — objected to billions of dollars in spending that had been added to the bill.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a billionaire who spent almost $300 million to back Trump and other Republican candidates in the November election, had also voiced opposition to the spending bill, which he called “terrible.” When the measure was scrapped, Musk proclaimed on X, “The voice of the people has triumphed!”
Without congressional approval for new spending, federal agencies are typically barred from doling out money, although there are some exceptions, such as activities to protect life and property. At the same time, agencies must make decisions about which workers will stay on the job, which can lead to varying impacts on government operations.
“Shutdowns can be disruptive, leading to delays in processing applications for passports, small business loans or government benefits,” David Wessel, senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution, wrote earlier this year in a blog post.
Here’s what could be impacted if the U.S. government shuts down on Dec. 21.
What happens if there is a government shutdown?
If the federal government shuts down, many government workers will be furloughed, although those providing essential services such as law enforcement and air traffic control will continue to report to their jobs.
However, none of those federal workers would get paid until Congress approves a new spending bill. After the shutdown ends, workers will receive retroactive paychecks covering the days they were furloughed or had to work without pay, according to the Office of Personnel Management.
That could create hardships for some government workers, as occurred during a shutdown that stretched for more than 30 days, starting on Dec. 22, 2018. During that stoppage, many federal workers turned to food pantries and other forms of aid to get through the several weeks when they didn’t receive paychecks.
Is Social Security affected by a government shutdown?
The nation’s 67 million Social Security recipients would continue to receive their checks even if the government closes for business. Medicare will also continue to operate, which means seniors covered by the health care plan won’t have their medications or treatments impacted.
That’s because both Social Security and Medicare benefits are authorized by laws that don’t require annual approval.
Even so, Social Security’s administrative budget is discretionary, which means it needs approval from Congress, according to the AARP. As a result, some services offered by the Social Security Administration could be impacted in a shutdown, such as benefit verification and new applications for benefits, the group says.
Would a government shutdown affect the TSA or air travel?
With millions of Americans expected to travel over the holidays, there are plenty of questions about how a shutdown could impact air travel. Because they provide essential services, air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents would be required to work without pay.
However, there could be “significant delays and longer wait times for travelers at airports across the country, based on what occurred during previous shutdowns,” the Department of Homeland Security warned last year ahead of a potential shutdown.
Does the USPS deliver mail in a government shutdown?
Yes, because the U.S. Postal Service is an independent agency. In previous shutdowns, operations have continued. That means mail would still be delivered, and post offices will remain open.
Does the military get paid in a government shutdown?
Active-duty members of the military and federal law enforcement would continue to work, but would not be paid until Congress signs off on new spending. But most civilian personnel working for the U.S. Department of Defense would be furloughed.
Veterans Affairs and the Defense Department are expected to start alerting workers about shutdown protocols on Thursday, according to the Military Times. The impact would likely be felt in the first week of January when the first military paychecks of 2025 will be deposited, which are scheduled to include a 4.5% pay increase for all troops, the publication noted.
What closes in a government shutdown?
Many services would be put on hold or delayed if there is a shutdown, including environmental and food inspections by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a public policy group that focuses on federal spending.
The national parks would likely close, while the National Institutes of Health could also be impacted, the group noted. While taxes are still due, such as quarterly estimated payments due on Jan. 15, the IRS could also be impacted by furloughs, although tax filing season typically doesn’t kick off until late January.
How long could a government shutdown last?
The odds of a government shutdown have increased with the latest developments, according to Goldman Sachs analysts in a Dec. 18 research note. But, they added, “a protracted shutdown looks unlikely in our view.”
A spending measure also could be passed before the Dec. 21 deadline if Republicans can revise it to appease Trump, who objected to billions of dollars in spending added to the bill, Goldman’s analysts added.
“Trump’s opposition was unrelated to the main components — he stated support for the spending extension, and the disaster and agricultural aid — so it is possible that a revised package could still pass before” the deadline, they wrote.
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