NBA playoffs: How to watch Lakers vs. Nuggets Game 1 tonight on TNT - CNET

The Denver Nuggets overcame a 3-1 series deficit against the Los Angeles Clippers to spoil an all-LA matchup in the Western Conference finals. Led by Nikola Jokic's triple double (16 points, 22 rebounds (!) and 13 assists) and a 40-point outburst from Jamal Murray, the Nuggets won Game 7 to send Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and the rest of the Clippers packing. After defeating the Houston Rockets in five games, Los Angeles Lakers have been resting and waiting inside the bubble for the Western Conference finals to begin. Game 1 tips off Friday night.

Meanwhile in the East, the Miami Heat have jumped out to a 2-0 series lead against the Boston Celtics after winning Game 2 on Thursday by using a 3-2 zone defense for much of the second half that the Celtics couldn't solve.

Schedule for Friday, Sept. 18:

• Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Game 1), 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT) on TNT

Looking to watch the NBA playoffs without cable? We have you covered below.

When did the 2020 NBA playoffs start? 

The NBA playoffs, which follow a traditional seven-game format, began on Aug. 17. All remaining games will be broadcast nationally on either TNT, ESPN or ABC.

Game 7 of the NBA Finals will take place, if necessary, no later than Oct. 13. 

How can I watch the NBA playoffs on TV without cable?

As in a regular non-COVID season, Disney-owned ABC and ESPN will broadcast games, with ABC broadcasting the NBA Finals. ESPN is the exclusive TV network for the 2020 Eastern Conference finals. 

AT&T-owned Turner Sports, which runs TNT and "jointly" manages the league's NBA Digital division that includes NBA TV. TNT is the exclusive TV network for the 2020 Western Conference finals. 

You can see the NBA's national television schedule here, with games on ABC, ESPN and TNT.

You don't need cable or satellite TV to watch the games on ESPN or TNT. Most of the channels are offered on four of the major live TV streaming services, though not all streaming services offer ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV.

Read more: How to cut the cable TV cord in 2020

Which teams are in? 

Sixteen teams qualified for the playoffs and four remain in the fight for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. 

Eastern Conference

• Boston Celtics
• Miami Heat

Western Conference

• Los Angeles Lakers
• Denver Nuggets
  

The eliminated teams are all done for the year and are prepping for the offseason and NBA Draft, which will be held on Oct. 16. Better luck next year, Knicks fans.

Where are the games being held? 

The NBA is using three different venues on the ESPN Wide World of Sports campus: the HP Field House, Visa Athletic Center and a site Disney calls The Arena.

The HP Field House has been previously used to host an NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament called the Orlando Invitational. Its next tournament -- featuring the likes of Auburn, Michigan State and Gonzaga -- is currently set to run Thanksgiving weekend.

Where are the players staying? What do they do when not playing? 

The players, team staff and their personnel and families are divided across three different Disney properties: the Grand Destino, the Grand Floridian and the Yacht Club. 

The hotels are sorted by team standings, with top seeds like the Bucks, Lakers, Raptors and Clippers staying at the Grand Destino, which opened last year. Teams that were on the playoff bubble -- like the Blazers -- stayed at Disney's Yacht Club. 

As Stadium and The Athletic's Shams Charania notes, when not playing players can attend other games, go to movie screenings and play video games, plus take advantage of pools, trails, barbers, manicurists and pedicurists.

Table tennis is also available, but just singles games. Doubles are not allowed in order to maintain social distancing, as pointed out by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

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