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Just like that. The NBA Regular Season has ended and we’re into the Playoffs! Thanks to streaming services, Candian fans can now watch the NBA Playoffs anywhere and anytime we’d like.
Table of Contents
When Is the First Round of the NBA Playoffs?
The first round of NBA playoffs will officially commence on Saturday, April 15, 2023. The first game will kick off on the same day and continue until April 30, 2023.
The schedule of the games is as follows:
| Date | Games |
April 15 | Game 1: 76ers vs. Nets Celtics vs. Hawks |
April 16 | Game 1 Fox vs. Kings Clippers vs. Suns Knicks vs. Cavaliers Heat vs Bucks Lakers vs. Grizzlies |
April 17 | Game 2 Nets vs. 76ers Warriors vs. Kings Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Clippers vs Suns |
April 18 | Game 2 Hawks vs. Celtics Knicks vs. Cavaliers Clippers vs. Suns |
April 19 | Game 2 Heat vs. Bucks Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Lakers vs. Grizzlies |
April 20 | Game 3 76ers vs. Nets Kings vs. Warriors Suns vs. Clippers |
April 21 | Game 3 Celtics vs. Hawks Cavaliers vs Knicks Nuggets vs. Timberwolves |
April 22 | Game 3 Bucks vs. Heat Suns vs. Clippers Grizzlies vs. Lakers Game 4 Suns vs. Clippers |
April 23 | Game 4 Kings vs. Warriors Celtics vs. Hawks Cavaliers vs. Knicks Nuggets vs. Timberwolves |
April 24 | Game 4 Grizzlies vs. Lakers Bucks vs. Heat Nets vs 76ers |
April 25 | Game 5 (If necessary) Hawks vs. Celtics Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Clippers vs. Suns |
April 26 | Game 5 (If necessary) Heat vs. Bucks Lakers vs. Grizzlies Warriors vs. Kings |
April 27 | Game 6 (If necessary) Celtics vs. Hawks 76ers vs. Nets Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Suns vs. Clippers |
April 28 | Game 6 (If necessary) Bucks vs. Heat Grizzlies vs. Lakers Kings vs. Warriors |
April 29 | Game 7 (If necessary) Hawks vs. Celtics Nets vs. 76ers Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Clippers vs. Suns |
April 30 | Game 7 (If necessary) Lakers vs. Grizzlies Warriors vs. Kings Heat vs. Bucks |
The second round of playoffs – the Conference Semifinals – is scheduled on May 1-2. However, dates are subject to change and may be moved up to April 29-30 especially if the various series end early.
When Does the First Round of the NBA Playoffs Start in Canada Time?
The first round of the NBA Playoffs will start at 1 p.m. ET. The first game will see the Brooklyn Nets face off against the Philadelphia 76ers on their home turf in the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia.
Where Can I Watch the First Round of the NBA Playoffs in Canada?
Canadian basketball fans have several options for watching the NBA Playoffs. Here are the various streaming services that will broadcast the NBA Playoffs:
Sportsnet NOW
Sportsnet NOW is the most accessible streaming service for Canadian NBA fans. The subscription-based streaming service is only available to Canada. It offers users two types of subscription plans: a standard plan and a premium plan. The standard plan offers a monthly subscription of 14.99 CAD and an annual subscription of $149.99 CAD . The premium plan is pricier, with a $34.99 CAD monthly subscription, and a $249.99 CAD annual subscription.
NBA League Pass
The NBA League Pass is your best bet for direct access to live games. The service also offers additional content from the latest news, statistics, to recaps of previous games. The NBA League Pass offers two types of subscriptions, the League Pass, and the Team Pass. The League Pass subscription enables users to stream games from all teams, while the Team Pass Subscription allows them to watch the games of their favorite team.
TSN +
TSN + offers users a monthly subscription fee of $19.99 CAD or an annual subscription for $199.90 CAD.
Should I Use a VPN to Watch the First Round of the NBA Playoffs?
Other streaming platforms like Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or ESPN3 are not accessible to Canadian audiences. You’ll need to avail a VPN in order to access these services. Get a VPN and start streaming now.
What Is the First Round of the NBA Playoffs About?
The first round of the NBA Playoffs will see all the competing teams duke it out for a spot in the Conference Semifinals. Teams will face off with other teams within their respective conferences. The first round is composed of seven games, the winner will be the first team to reach four wins.
What to Look Forward to in the First Round of the NBA Playoffs?
This season marks the league’s 77th season. In this playoffs, we’ll see if the defending champs, the Golden State Warriors, can protect their title. The Warriors struggled for much of the season especially on the road. Their opponents from last year, the Boston Celtics, would also like to prove that they belong at the top. MVP candidates Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid and their teams would also like to prove a point by surviving the first round. Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns would also very much like to prove that they can win a championship. As always, Lebron James and the LA Lakers make for interesting conversation as he continues to make an argument in the GOAT conversation.
Which NBA Teams Have Made the Playoffs
The Eastern Conference includes the following teams:
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Boston Celtics
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- New York Knicks
- Brooklyn Nets
- Atlanta Hawks
- Miami Heat
The Western Conference bracket will feature the following teams:
- Denver Nuggets
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Sacramento Kings
- Phoenix Suns
- LA Clippers
- Golden State Warriors
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Minnesota Timberwolves
Who Will Survive the First Round?
As with any sporting event, there can be a degree of unpredictability in basketball. There are some very interesting matchups and it would be interesting to see upsets and unlikely winners move on to the second round.
