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The Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks will face off tonight in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. If you’re hoping to tune in, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to watch the NBA Finals, whether you have cable or are seeking a live streaming alternative. 

The Celtics enter Game 4 with a 3-0 lead and the opportunity to become the tenth team to ever sweep the NBA Finals (the Celtics were also the first team to ever accomplish this feat back in the ’50s). The Celtics have 17 NBA Titles under their belt and last made an appearance at the Finals in 2022, where they ultimately lost to the Golden State Warriors. The Mavericks – who were founded in 1980, long after the Celtics – have only recorded one NBA Finals win in franchise history, back in 2011. This is their first visit to the finals since then.

While a Celtics win tonight could earn them the Larry O’Brien Trophy, a Mavs win would send the two teams to Game 5. Below, we’ve put together all the details on how to watch the game. You can also bookmark our NBA hub for info on any future games.

How to watch Celtics vs. Mavericks live stream in the US

Celtics vs. Mavericks Game 4 tips off on Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC in the US. For those without cable, there are a couple of live streaming TV packages that offer ABC in their lineup, including Sling TV and Fubo. 

The most affordable of these two options is Sling TV, where you can access ABC in select regions by purchasing a subscription to Sling Orange + Blue. This normally costs $55 a month, but the service currently offers half-off your first month if you’re a new user, so you’ll only end up paying $27.50 up front this month. Since Sling’s local channel coverage is selective, you’ll need to look up the channels available in your zip code before subscribing to see if your region gets access to ABC. According to Sling’s local channels page, areas like New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Chicago are among those able to access ABC. Due to these restrictions, Dallas and Boston fans will most likely want to explore our next recommendation, Fubo.

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Sling TV Subscription

For just the essentials without any extra fluff, Sling TV is the streaming service you’re looking for. It’s more customizable than other plans, with three options you can choose from, so you pay for only what you need. New members get their first month for $25 off.

Fubo is another solid live TV streaming package with even more channels in its lineup. Plus, the service’s ABC coverage is much more widespread (although you should still double-check that your region gets the network). You can also find tons of WNBA games through this service, if you just can’t get enough of basketball. Subscriptions start at $79.99 a month, but Fubo currently offers a one-week free trial for new users.

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Fubo Pro Plan

Fubo is the streaming service for sports fans. Its huge library of channels includes regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from the competition. You can also tack on additional programming to your plan, but it’ll cost you extra.

How to watch Celtics vs. Mavericks live stream from anywhere

Fans who will be traveling outside the US during the game can still keep up with their subscriptions via VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs allow you to temporarily alter your device’s location so that you can still access your usual websites and apps from anywhere. They’re also strong ways to increase your internet privacy. This option will work best for Americans who are just traveling abroad since the services we’ve outlined today require US forms of payment.

ExpressVPN is our go-to VPN recommendation, since it’s user-friendly and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. For more information, you can check out our ExpressVPN review. Keep reading to learn how to use a VPN.

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ExpressVPN Plan

With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that makes it exceptional. Better yet, you can save up to 49% and get an extra three months for free today.

How to watch Celtics vs. Mavericks live stream with a VPN

  • Sign up for a VPN if you don’t already have one.
  • Install it on the device you’re planning to watch on.
  • Turn it on and set it to a US location. 
  • Sign up for a live streaming package and navigate to ABC.
  • Enjoy the game!

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

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