Cutting the cord doesn't have to be complicated. This guide walks you through setting up your streaming setup for basketball season, from hardware to subscriptions.
Step 1: Choose Your Streaming Device
If your TV is less than 5 years old, it likely has built-in apps for all major streaming services. If not, here are your best options:
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K ($50): Best for simplicity and app selection
- Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($50): Best for Prime Video integration and Alexa users
- Apple TV 4K ($130): Best for iPhone/iPad users and premium experience
- Chromecast with Google TV ($50): Best for Android users and Google ecosystem
All four devices support every major basketball streaming app including ESPN, Peacock, Prime Video, Max, Paramount+, and NBA League Pass.
Step 2: Check Your Internet Speed
For smooth 4K streaming (which most services now offer for live sports), you need:
- Minimum: 25 Mbps for a single 4K stream
- Recommended: 50+ Mbps if multiple people stream simultaneously
Run a speed test at fast.com to check your current speeds. If you're below 25 Mbps, contact your internet provider about upgrading.
Step 3: Sign Up for Services
Here's the recommended order based on coverage and value:
- ESPN Unlimited ($29.99/month): Most NBA games on ESPN/ABC plus college basketball
- Peacock ($7.99/month): Monday/Tuesday NBA games, Big East, affordable price
- Prime Video: Free with Amazon Prime ($14.99/month), covers Thu/Fri/Sat NBA games
- NBA League Pass ($14.99-$22.99/month): Only if you follow out-of-market teams
Step 4: Download the Apps
On your streaming device, download these apps:
- ESPN app (for ESPN Unlimited content)
- Peacock
- Prime Video
- NBA app (for League Pass)
Log into each app with your subscription credentials. Most apps remember your login indefinitely.
Common Issues and Solutions
Games are blacked out
Blackouts happen when: (1) You're trying to watch a local team on League Pass (not allowed), or (2) The game is on national TV in your area. Solution: Check which national service has the game and use that app instead.
Bypassing Regional Blackouts with a VPN
Many cord-cutters use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to bypass regional blackout restrictions on NBA League Pass. A VPN masks your location, making it appear you're watching from a different region.
- NordVPN: Fast speeds ideal for live sports, 5,000+ servers worldwide
- ExpressVPN: Premium reliability, works with all streaming services
- Surfshark: Budget-friendly option with unlimited device connections
Note: Using a VPN may violate the terms of service of some streaming platforms. Check each service's policies before use.
Stream quality is poor
Try: (1) Restart your streaming device, (2) Move closer to your WiFi router or use ethernet, (3) Check if others are using bandwidth on your network, (4) Lower the stream quality in app settings temporarily.
Audio/video out of sync
This is common with live streams. Try: (1) Pause and resume the stream, (2) Exit and re-enter the app, (3) Restart your streaming device.
Pro Tips
- Start streams early: Open the app 5-10 minutes before tip-off to ensure everything is working
- Use wired internet: Ethernet connections are more stable than WiFi for live sports
- Enable sports mode: Many TVs have a sports or game mode that reduces motion blur
- Bookmark Hoops ON!: Use our site to quickly see which service has tonight's game