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How to watch the Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs game tonight: Game 3 livestream options
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The Boston Celtics face the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight for Game 3 of the teams’ exciting NBA Playoffs series. With the series tied 1-1, tonight’s winner will take the lead in this Eastern Conference semifinals matchup.
Find out how and when to watch tonight’s Celtics vs. Cavaliers game by reading below.
How and when to watch Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 3
Game 3 of the Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs series will be played on May 11, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT). The game will air on ABC and stream on Sling TV and the platforms featured below.
How to watch Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 3 without cable
If your cable subscription doesn’t carry ABC 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 game live.
Save $25 on Sling TV: The most cost-effective way to stream the Celtics vs. Cavaliers game
If you don’t have cable TV that includes ABC, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream today’s game is through a subscription to Sling TV. To watch today’s game, you’ll need a subscription to the Blue tier, which includes access to your local network affiliate’s live feed (excluding CBS). To level up your coverage and get access to NBA playoff games broadcast on ESPN and TNT, subscribe to the Orange + Blue tier plan.
The Blue tier is $45 per month. The Sling’s Orange + Blue tier costs $60 per month, but the platform is currently offering $25 off the first month of any pricing tier, making the Orange + Blue tier $35 for the first month.
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. To watch these games, plus PGA golf, UEFA Champions League and more live sports, we recommend you also subscribe to Paramount+ with Showtime. Paramount+ with Showtime costs $12 per month after a one-week free trial.
Note: Because Sling TV doesn’t carry CBS, you won’t be able to watch CBS-aired programming like next year’s NFL games on CBS.
Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue tier:
- Sling TV is also our top choice to stream the NBA Playoffs.
- There are 40 channels to watch in total, including ABC, NBC and Fox (where available).
- You get access to NBA games airing on TNT.
- All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
Watch the Celtics vs. Cavaliers game for free with Fubo
You can also catch today’s game on Fubo. Fubo is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to ABC and ESPN, in addition to almost every NFL game next season.
To watch the NBA Playoffs without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NBA basketball, you’ll have access to NFL football, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. Fubo’s Pro Tier is priced at $80 per month after your free seven-day trial.
Sports fans will want to consider adding on the $7.99 per month Fubo Extra package, which includes MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, SEC Network and more channels with live games. Or upgrade to the Fubo Elite tier and get all the Fubo Extra channels, plus the ability to stream in 4K, starting at $90 per month ($70 for the first month).
Top features of FuboTV Pro Tier:
- There are no contracts with Fubo, you can cancel anytime.
- The Pro tier includes over 180 channels, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
- Fubo includes most channels you’ll need to watch live sports, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
- All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
- Stream on your TV, phone, tablet and other devices.
Hulu + Live TV/ESPN+ bundle: Watch the Celtics vs. Cavaliers game live
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 per month after a three-day free trial.
Watch today’s game live with a digital HDTV antenna
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You can also watch today’s game on TV with an affordable indoor antenna, which pulls in local over-the-air HDTV channels such as CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, PBS, Univision and more. Here’s the kicker: There’s no monthly charge.
For anyone living in a partially blocked-off area (those near mountains or first-floor apartments), a digital TV antenna may not pick up a good signal — or any signal at all. But for many homes, a digital TV antenna provides a seriously inexpensive way to watch NBA basketball without paying a cable company. Indoor TV antennas can also provide some much-needed TV backup if a storm knocks out your cable.
This amplified digital antenna with a 50-mile range can receive hundreds of HDTV channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox and Univision and can filter out cellular and FM signals. It delivers a high-quality picture in 1080p HDTV and top-tier sound.
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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Conference semifinals schedule
The conference semifinals is a best-of-seven series beginning on May 4, 2024.
Eastern Conference
(1) Boston vs. (4) Cleveland
• Game 1: Celtics 120, Cavaliers 95
• Game 2: Cavaliers 118, Celtics 94
• Game 3: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Saturday, May 11 (8:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 4: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Monday, May 13 (7 ET, TNT)
• Game 5: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Wednesday, May 15 (TBD, TNT) *
• Game 6: Celtics vs. Cavaliers, Friday, May 17 (TBD, ESPN) *
• Game 7: Cavaliers vs. Celtics, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *
The series is tied 1-1
* = If necessary
(2) New York vs. (6) Indiana
• Game 1: Knicks 121, Pacers 117
• Game 2: Knicks 130, Pacers 121
• Game 3: Knicks vs. Pacers, Friday, May 10 (7 ET, ESPN)
• Game 4: Knicks vs. Pacers, Sunday, May 12 (3:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 5: Pacers vs. Knicks, Tuesday, May 14 (TBD, TNT) *
• Game 6: Knicks vs. Pacers, Friday, May 17 (TBD, ESPN) *
• Game 7: Pacers vs. Knicks, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *
New York leads the series 2-0
* = If necessary
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City vs. (5) Dallas
• Game 1: Thunder 117, Mavericks 95
• Game 2: Mavericks 119, Thunder 110
• Game 3: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 11 (3:30 ET, ABC)
• Game 4: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Monday, May 13 (9:30 ET, TNT)
• Game 5: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Wednesday, May 15 (TBD, TNT) *
• Game 6: Thunder vs. Mavericks, Saturday, May 18 (8:30 ET, ESPN) *
• Game 7: Mavericks vs. Thunder, Monday, May 20 (8:30 ET, TNT) *
The series is tied 1-1
* = If necessary
(2) Denver vs. (3) Minnesota
• Game 1: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 99
• Game 2: Timberwolves 106, Nuggets 80
• Game 3: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Friday, May 10 (9:30 ET, ESPN)
• Game 4: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Sunday, May 12 (8 ET, TNT)
• Game 5: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Tuesday, May 14 (TBD, TNT) *
• Game 6: Nuggets vs. Timberwolves, Thursday, May 16 (8:30, ESPN) *
• Game 7: Timberwolves vs. Nuggets, Sunday, May 19 (TBD, TBD) *
Minnesota leads series 2-0
* = If necessary
First round schedule
Below are the results for the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Eastern Conference
(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Miami Heat
• Game 1: Celtics 114, Heat 94
• Game 2: Heat 111, Celtics 101
• Game 3: Celtics 104, Heat 84
• Game 4: Celtics 102, Heat 88
• Game 5: Celtics 118, Heat 84
(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
• Game 1: Knicks 111, 76ers 104
• Game 2: Knicks 104, 76ers 101
• Game 3: 76ers 125, Knicks 114
• Game 4: Knicks 97, 76ers 92
• Game 5: 76ers 112, Knicks 106 (OT)
• Game 6: Knicks 118, 76ers 115
(3) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Indiana Pacers
• Game 1: Bucks 109, Pacers 94
• Game 2: Pacers 125, Bucks 108
• Game 3: Pacers 121, Bucks 118
• Game 4: Pacers 126, Bucks 113
• Game 5: Bucks 115, Pacers 92
• Game 6: Pacers 120, Bucks 98
(4) Cleveland vs. (5) Orlando
• Game 1: Cavaliers 97, Magic 83
• Game 2: Cavaliers 96, Magic 86
• Game 3: Magic 121, Cavaliers 83
• Game 4: Magic 112, Cavaliers 89
• Game 5: Cavaliers 104, Magic 103
• Game 6: Magic 103, Cavaliers 96
• Game 7: Cavaliers 106, Magic 94
Western Conference
(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans
• Game 1: Thunder 94, Pelicans 92
• Game 2: Thunder 124, Pelicans 92
• Game 3: Thunder 106, Pelicans 85
• Game 4: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89
(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers
• Game 1: Nuggets 114, Lakers 103
• Game 2: Nuggets 101, Lakers 99
• Game 3: Nuggets 112, Lakers 105
• Game 4: Lakers 119, Nuggets 108
• Game 5: Nuggets 108, Lakers 106
(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (6) Phoenix Suns
• Game 1: Timberwolves 120, Suns 95
• Game 2: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93
• Game 3: Timberwolves 129, Suns 109
• Game 4: Timberwolves 112, Suns 116
(4) LA Clippers vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks
• Game 1: Clippers 109, Mavericks 97
• Game 2: Mavericks 96, Clippers 93
• Game 3: Mavericks 101, Clippers 90
• Game 4: Clippers 116, Mavericks 111
• Game 5: Mavericks 123, Clippers 93
• Game 6: Mavericks 114, Mavericks 101
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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Borrowing from your home equity can be a wise way to improve your financial health, especially in today’s economy. For example, you can tap into home equity to fund home renovations that may improve your home’s value. Similarly, home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) typically offer lower rates than credit cards and other types of borrowing products, making them a useful option for consolidating debt and reducing interest costs. And with Americans sitting on an average of $319,000 in home equity currently, these loans may offer higher borrowing limits than other options.
Current economic factors, including inflation and interest rates, are also boding well for borrowers right now, making it an even better time to consider this type of borrowing. For starters, the Federal Reserve is confident enough in the downward inflation trend to cut the federal funds rate at the last three Fed meetings. While the Fed doesn’t set mortgage rates, the federal funds rate influences the interest rates lenders charge on their lending products. While not at pre-pandemic levels, interest rates on home equity loans and HELOCs are slowly improving. The average home equity loan interest rate is currently 8.41%, while the average HELOC interest rate is 8.52% (as of December 19, 2024).
Still, the only economic constant is change. Inflation increased slightly in October, and other factors could alter the borrowing environment going forward. With that in mind, choosing between a HELOC and home equity loan will depend on your financial goals and how these products respond to changes in the market. Let’s explore which of these two home equity options might make sense for your situation.
Start comparing your home equity borrowing options online now.
Why a HELOC could be better than a home equity loan in 2025
HELOCs work like credit cards, offering a line of credit that can be borrowed from multiple times (up to the credit limit). This type of home equity borrowing can be a useful option if you want to use funds as needed over time, as opposed to getting one large lump-sum payment like a home equity loan. For example, if you’re renovating your home with multiple projects, a HELOC lets you access funds as needed for each phase, helping you avoid borrowing more than necessary upfront.
Just remember, HELOC repayment terms usually start with interest-only payments for a set number of years, typically five or 10 years.
“This is for someone who wants a low starting monthly payment, but keep in mind you may not be paying off all the principal,” says Adam Spigelman, senior vice president at Planet Home Lending. “If you borrow $50,000 and you make interest-only payments for five years, at the end of five years, you’ll still owe $50,000.”
Also keep in mind that HELOCs have variable rates that are tied to an index such as the prime rate, which is typically around 3% higher than the federal funds rate. So if you anticipate the Fed’s rate-cutting trend will continue, a HELOC might save you money in the short term. On the other hand, you might think twice about getting a HELOC if you believe rates will increase during your repayment term.
“When that index rate rises, your monthly payment may also rise. That higher payment can leave you with less money in your pocket, which can make it harder to stay out of debt. If the higher interest rate comes at a time when you’re starting to do the principal repayment, it can lead to payment shock,” Spigelman notes.
Find out how affordable the right home equity borrowing option could be today.
Why a home equity loan could be better than a HELOC in 2025
If you’re looking for more predictable financing, you may prefer a home equity loan for its fixed interest rate and monthly payment that remains the same during the life of the loan, regardless of rate adjustments.
“A home equity loan is a fixed rate and doesn’t fluctuate based on what the Federal Reserve does,” says Jeremy Schachter, branch manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. “So when the rates come down, your fixed rate doesn’t go down.”
While the Fed’s ongoing rate cuts might reduce borrowing costs on HELOCs in 2025, a home equity loan might be a better long-term option if you expect rates to rise during your loan term.
Home equity loans are a great option if you need a large, lump-sum payment to fund a large expense. You might use one to fund a major home renovation, consolidate high-interest debt or even cover your child’s college tuition. Since home equity loans often have lower rates than private student loans, they may help you save money in the long run.
Should you borrow from your home equity now or wait?
Deciding whether to borrow now or wait until 2025 or later depends on your financial situation, goals and borrowing preferences. As Schachter explains, the type of loan you choose matters, as fixed-rate and variable-rate options affect how your monthly payments change over time.
“Depending on your needs and goals with the funds for the loan, it may make sense not to wait to take out a HELOC because it does change with rates changing. If you are looking for a home equity loan, it may make sense to hold off until next year if your projects or use of the funds can be pushed out,” says Schachter.
The bottom line
Heading into 2025, the choice between a home equity loan and a HELOC comes down to how stable you want your payments to be, and which direction you anticipate interest rates are trending. So, take time to weigh the pros and cons of each option and how they might impact your budget. Finally, remember that home equity loans and credit lines are secured by your home, so you should never borrow more than you need, and make sure the payments fit comfortably into your budget before signing for one.