Heat vs. Celtics live stream: How to watch NBA Playoffs game 5 right now, start time, channel

(L, R) Jimmy Butler and Jayson Tatum will face off in the Heat vs Celtics live stream for game 5
(Image credit: Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

It's time. When Miami enters the Heat vs. Celtics live stream, they'll do so with intent to start a short-term break before the Finals. When Boston walks on the court, they'll do so to ensure another NBA Playoff live stream back in Miami.

Heat vs. Celtics Game 5 live stream cheat sheet

Date: Today (Thursday, May 25)
Time:
8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT / 1:30 a.m. BST / 11:30  a.m. AEDT
Watch in the U.S.:
TNT on Sling TV
Watch from anywhere: with ExpressVPN.

Boston's Game 4 win would have felt like a surprise even if you didn't see that the Lakers had been swept the day before. Their previous outings in this series kept fizzling out at the end.

But then they lit up the net while shooting behind the arc, including a pair of threes from Jayson Tatum, followed by one from Derrick White. That 18-point run erased a 9-point Miami lead, and created a 9-point advantage. All in the third quarter, when Miami typically does a lot of damage.

As for the Heat? They ended the game with a casual energy, without any fear that they've given the Celtics room to stage a historic comeback. Because, yes, nobody's ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in a 7-game series in the NBA playoffs.

DraftKings, at the time of publication, has the odds for the Celtics (-300) as favorites, and Heat (+250) as the underdogs. So, betting $100 on the winning Celtics would earn you $300, and a $100 bet on the winning Heat would net you $250.  

Here's everything you need to know to watch the Heat vs. Celtics live stream online:

How to watch Heat vs. Celtics live streams from anywhere on Earth with a VPN

Having trouble actually getting TNT? Even if you can't watch the Heat vs. Celtics live streams on cable, you're not out of luck. With a virtual private network, or VPN, you can appear to be surfing the web from your home town (or somewhere that blackouts won't hit), and access the same streaming services you already paid for. 

Not sure which VPN is right for you? We've tested many different services and our pick for the best VPN overall is ExpressVPN. It offers superb speeds and excellent customer service. But you've got other VPN options as well. Here are our top picks.

ExpressVPN

We think speed, security and simplicity make <a href="https://go.expressvpn.com/c/4550836/1330033/16063?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressvpn.com%2Fgo%2Fstream-basketball-live" data-link-merchant="expressvpn.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ExpressVPN second to none. During our tests, we saw fast connection times, and we're impressed by the service's ability to access more than 3,000 services spread out across 160 locations in 94 countries. 

Heat vs. Celtics live streams in the U.S.

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The Heat vs. Celtics live stream is on TNT at 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT Thursday (May 25).

If you've already cut the cord and don't have a cable package? With the right pick from our best cable TV alternatives, you'll be able to watch it and all of the NBA playoff games. But for as much as we like FuboTV, it doesn't have TNT.

Instead, consider Sling TV, one of the best streaming services, which has TNT. For future NBA playoff live streams, ABC games will simulcast on ESPN3, which is available through Sling Orange. ABC is also available in select markets for Sling Blue. Those markets are Chicago (WLS), Fresno (KFSN), Houston (KTRK), Los Angeles (KABC), New York (WABC), Philadelphia (WPVI), Raleigh-Durham (WTVD) and San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose (KGO).  All but Fresno, Houston and Raleigh will pay $5 more per month for ABC in either Sling Blue or Sling Orange & Blue.

Sling is 50% off for the first month making it a perfect place to watch all of the NBA playoffs. Sling Orange also gets you ESPN, and its Sports Extra pack gets you NBA TV.

Of course, you can also watch the games on the more expensive services, such as YouTube TV ($73 per month), Hulu + Live TV ($70 per month) and DirecTV Stream ($75 per month).

ABC can be pulled down with one of the best TV antennas.

Sling TV:50% on your first month!

<a href="https://sling-tv.pxf.io/c/221109/1132376/14334?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2F" data-link-merchant="sling.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sling TV: You can get ESPN and TNT in the Sling Orange package. The 30-plus channels in the lineup include AMC, CNN, Food Network, AMC, Comedy Central, HGTV and many more. And you can save <a href="https://sling-tv.pxf.io/c/221109/1132376/14334?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sling.com%2F" data-link-merchant="sling.com"" data-link-merchant="sling.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">50% on your first month!

Heat vs. Celtics series schedule

All times Eastern

* = if necessary

  • Game 1: Heat 123, Celtics 116
  • Game 2: Heat 111, Celtics 105
  • Game 3: Heat 128, Celtics 102
  • Game 4: Celtics 116, Heat 99
  • Game 5 @ Boston on Thu., May 25 @ 8:30 p.m., on TNT
  • *Game 6 @ Miami on Sat., May 27 @ 8:30 p.m., on TNT
  • *Game 7 @ Boston on Mon., May 29 @ 8:30 p.m., on TNT

Heat vs. Celtics live streams around the world

How to watch Heat vs. Celtics live streams in the UK

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NBA fans in the U.K. can watch the Heat vs. Celtics live stream on Sky Sports Main Event and Arena. It begins at 1:30 a.m. BST.

If you already have a Sky subscription that doesn't include Sports, you'll need to pay £24/month to add those channels. You'll also gain access to coverage in 4K and HDR, so long as you also have an HDR-ready Sky Q box and HLG-compatible TV.

If you don't want to shell out for a full Sky sub, you could also consider its Now Sports streaming service. Pricing starts at £11.98 for day & mobile month membership, with month-long access for £34.99.

Not in the U.K. right now? You may need a little help from a service such as ExpressVPN.

Heat vs. Celtics live streams in Canada

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Hoops fans in Canada can catch the Heat vs. Celtics live stream on SportsNet. It's airing on SN1 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Can you watch Heat vs. Celtics live streams in Australia?

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Probably. Aussies can watch the 2023 Playoff live streams on Kayo Sports, a major destination for NBA action. ESPN Australia, if you get it, is another means, but it's unclear if either will host the Heat vs. Celtics live stream.

Kayo offers a 14-day free trial for both its Basic and Premium plans, more than enough time to confirm they're actually showing the games. The Kayo One package costs $25 per month thereafter, and Kayo Basic is $30.

The $35 per month Premium Kayo plan gives you all the same things as the normal plan, but it offers three simultaneous streams. The Basic plan gives you two streams at the same time. 

Not in Australia but usually a Kayo subscriber? You may need a little help from a service such as ExpressVPN.

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Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.