For the first time in the history of the NBA, a city will have two teams as the two heavy championship favorites—and they will play in the same building. You can best believe the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles will be rocking as the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers “visit” the Los Angeles Clippers, who feature 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
The big stories for both teams are their blockbuster additions. Anthony Davis came over to the Lakers, through a long, drawn-out trade process that sent Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart to the New Orleans Pelicans. Fred Vogel takes over at head coach, with—in a curious move— Jason Kidd onboard as the top assistant.
Leonard joined the Clippers as a free agent, coming off a historic championship run in his single season with the Toronto Raptors. The two-time defensive player of the year’s arrival, it was later discovered, was contingent on head coach/exec Doc Rivers trading for a capable “number two.” The outcome: Paul George, via trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Obviously, no Lakers-associated preview can be discussed without LeBron James, who’s been extremely vocal about ceding offensive workload to Davis to convert into combination monster point guard/Thanos-like jack-of-all-trades. Heading into his 17th (!) season, the 12-time All-NBA first-team selection (an NBA record) will be amongst the league leaders in assists per game.
Here’s everything you need to know to stream Lakers vs. Clippers.
| HOW TO WATCH LAKERS VS. CLIPPERS WITHOUT CABLE | |
| HULU WITH LIVE TV | TRY NOW |
| SLING TV | TRY NOW |
| FUBOTV | TRY NOW |
| AT&T TV NOW | TRY NOW |
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
- When: 10:30pm ET, Tuesday, Oct. 22
- Where: Staples Center in Los Angeles, California
- Streaming: TNT
How to stream NBA games: NBA League Pass
Real ballers splurge for NBA League Pass. The premium service lets you stream more NBA games than you could possibly count (basically everything that’s not already on national TV or subject to local blackouts). It’s a bit pricey, but you can save some money with NBA Team Pass, which follows the same broadcast restrictions but focuses on one specific team (all the games for the New York Knicks, for example). If you’re only interested in specific matchups, you can buy single NBA games, and new this year, you can purchase just the fourth quarter for $1.99. Both NBA League Pass and Team Pass also offer games in VR.
You can order NBA League Pass and NBA Team Pass online from NBA.com or as part of B/R Live or a Sling TV subscription. No matter which one you choose, it’s going to cost the same.
NBA League Pass price breakdown:
- NBA League Pass (all teams): $199 per year or $28.99 per month
- NBA League Pass Premium (all teams + in-arena stream): $249.99 per year or $39.99 per month
- NBA Team Pass (one team): $119.99 per year or $17.99 per month
- NBA League Pass Audio: $9.99 per year
- NBA League Pass single games: $6.99
- NBA League Pass fourth-quarter action: $1.99 per game
NBA League Pass devices: Amazon Fire TV and Kindle devices, Roku 3 and 4, Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung smart TVs, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and 4, Amazon Alexa and Amazon Echo, Samsung Gear VR, Google Daydream View, PlayStation VR, Windows Mixed Reality, iOS and Android devices
Stream NBA games: 5 ways to watch NBA games online
WATCH: Is SlingTV worth it?
1) Hulu with Live TV
- Cost: $40 per month
- Hulu devices: Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, and iOS and Android devices
- Hulu local channels: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, the CW (check your local availability here)
- Channels included: ABC, ESPN, TNT, NBCSN
Hulu with Live TV doesn’t offer a way to watch NBA TV, but if that’s not a deal-breaker, it’s a great way to watch NBA games online. Plus, each subscription unlocks Hulu’s deep catalog of TV shows and movies, so you’ll have plenty to watch after the final whistle blows. For an extra $4 per month, you can upgrade to Hulu with No Commercials.
Game-changing feature: Every subscription comes with free access to Hulu’s on-demand library, meaning you can catch up on all of your favorite shows. (Here are our picks for the best movies on Hulu, Hulu documentaries, anime, and the must-see Hulu originals.)
2) Sling TV
- Cost: $25-$40 per month
- Sling TV devices: Amazon Fire TVs, Android Fire Stick, Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One, Google Chromecast, Oculus Go, and iOS and Android devices
- Sling TV local channels: NBC, Fox (check your local availability here)
- Channels included: TNT, ESPN (Sling Orange, Sling Orange + Blue), NBC Sports (Sling Blue, Sling Orange + Blue), and NBA TV (with add-on)
Sling TV has two distinct channel packages, both of which are priced at $25 per month. You want Sling Orange, which comes with both ESPN and TNT. From there you can add the Sling Orange Sports Pack for $5 per month to unlock NBA TV. That means you get by at just $30 per month. That said, if you live the Bay Area, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Portland, or Washington, D.C., you might want to upgrade to Sling Orange + Blue ($40 per month) so that you can get local coverage from NBC Sports. There’s just one drawback: Sling TV doesn’t offer ABC in its local channels (or provide an on-demand alternative). With most ABC live games, you can stream via the WatchESPN app. Here’s hoping that proves true when it comes to streaming NBA games. Otherwise, you’ll want to invest in an HD antenna. (Here’s a complete guide to Sling TV channels.) As noted previously, Sling TV is the only service that allows you to include NBA League Pass as an add-on.
Game-changing feature: Price. Sling TV allows you to stream NBA games without breaking the bank.
3) FuboTV
- Cost: $44.99 for your first month and $54.99 per month thereafter
- FuboTV devices: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV, iOS and Android devices
- FuboTV local channels: Fox, NBC, CBS (check local availability here)
- Channels included: NBA TV, TNT, NBC Sports
FuboTV is known as a sports streaming service, but it’s hit or miss for streaming NBA games. You get NBA TV, TNT, and NBC Sports in your basic package, but ABC isn’t included in the local channels, and there’s an ESPN-sized hole in the service. That said, there’s still plenty to enjoy on FuboTV. (Here’s the complete FuboTV channels list.)
Game-changing feature: Three-day replay for games and 30 hours of cloud DVR.
4) AT&T Now
- Cost: $50-$135 per month
- Hulu devices: Roku, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick and Fire TV, iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC, the CW (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
There’s a good chance that you’re already looking to AT&T for your wireless needs. The second you sign up you’ll gain instant access to 45+ channels, including local channels and even free HBO on PLUS and MAX channel suites. Plus, it comes with CloudDVR which lets you record up to 20 hours of TV per month. One account works on two devices, but you can add more devices for only $5.
TRY AT&T TV NOW
5) PlayStation Vue
- Cost: $44.99-$79.99 per month
- PlayStation Vue devices: PlayStation 3 and 4, Roku, Amazon Fire, Google Chromecast, Kodi, iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
- Channels included: ESPN, TNT, and NBCSN (Access) and NBA TV (Core)
As with DirecTV Now, you’ll have to upgrade to PlayStation Vue’s Core package to get NBA TV, but otherwise, the service offers a solid selection of sports, news, and entertainment options. Note, when I checked my local listings, ABC was only available as an on-demand channel. You may still be able to use your credentials to watch those NBA games either on the ABC app or via WatchESPN. (Here are all of PlayStation Vue channels.)
Game-changing feature: You can stream on up to five devices at once, and there’s unlimited cloud DVR.
6) YouTube TV
- Cost: $49.99 per month
- YouTube TV devices: Google Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One, iOS and Android devices
- Local channels: NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC, the CW (enter your ZIP code here to check your availability)
- Channels included: ABC, NBA TV, TNT, NBC Sports, ESPN
Like Hulu with Live TV, YouTube TV offers just one package of channels, and it’s a stacked lineup for sports, with everything you need to stream NBA games. YouTube TV also includes FS1, Big Ten Network, SEC Network, and CBS Sports Network. (You can find the full list of YouTube TV channels here.)
Game-changing feature: You can add up to six accounts per household, and each one of those accounts gets unlimited cloud DVR. Even better: You can fast-forward through ads in recorded programs.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers: What to watch for
The major key for the game: George is expected to miss the first 10 or so games as he recovers from shoulder (left labrum, right rotator cuff) surgeries. The six-time All-Star isn’t going to rush back, telling the Los Angeles Times reporter Andrew Greif “I know what it takes, and I know when that time is. It’s no rush. It’s no rush. I do want to get back to the game, but I’m not going to rush it. I’ll be ready when the time comes.”
Paul George after practice 2, on his rehab: “I’ve dealt with injuries. I’ve dealt with rehab. I know what it takes and I know when that time is. It’s no rush. It’s no rush. I do what to get back to the game, but I’m not going to rush it. I’ll be ready when the time comes.”
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) October 2, 2019
George’s injury means it will take a little longer to see the Clippers in their full complement, and longer still for chemistry to form.
The Lakers also have injury issues with Kyle Kuzma and his problematic foot (day-to-day with a stress reaction.) “The main thing is just making sure I’m healthy,” Kuzma stated. “It’s a long season, so [missing opening night] won’t affect me mentally or anything.”
The Lakers is a 2.5-point favorite, according to Odds Shark.
NBA preview podcast
Check out the author’s NBA 2019-2020 preview podcast. Listen below.
2019-2020 NBA Preview is here! We take playoffs seeding, James Harden’s offensive greatness, and the future of Zion Williamson. https://t.co/ESbGUzGUfD
— K. (@kahronspearman) October 22, 2019
https://soundcloud.com/user-710928718/nah-the-podcast-nba-edition
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