The best internet speeds to watch the NBA Finals

It's the best time of year if you're a hoops fan. The NBA championship is underway. The finals began on June 5, with the Indiana Pacers playing the Oklahoma City Thunder. You can watch the Finals live, but you'll want to make sure you have the proper internet speed. That way, you won't lose your connection at the last minute, when your favorite player puts up that big three-point attempt. Here’s how to watch the NBA Finals.

The internet speed you need to successfully stream with no lags will depend on the streaming service and how many devices are connected to Wi-Fi in your home.

Where to watch the NBA Finals live

The NBA Conference Finals are broadcast on ESPN, ABC, TNT and NBA TV. Most major cable providers include these channels.

The Finals are broadcast on ABC. Many people will tune into the NBA Finals, and you don't want to experience any buffering or lag when you're on the edge of your seat. Network congestion can impact picture quality. Make sure you have the right broadband package to have a high-speed connection.

What internet speed do I need to watch the NBA Finals?

To avoid buffering, we recommend the following speeds, but remember that these figures are based on just one connected device:

• Standard Definition (SD): 3 Mbps or more.
• High Definition (HD): 5 Mbps or more. 
• 4K or Ultra HD (UHD): 15 Mbps or more.

Do I need to upgrade my internet to watch the NBA Finals?

Imagine your team is about to tie the game, and your picture cuts out. And then your left on a cliffhanger. You don't want that to happen, so you may need to upgrade your broadband package if you have many wireless devices in your home that you use at the same time.

Here are the minimum internet speeds you’ll need to stream the NBA Finals.

Keep in mind that if you have many wireless devices in your home, like five or more, you'll likely need greater speeds than those listed above.

How to stream the NBA Finals live

If you don’t have cable, there are live streaming services that provide access to channels like ESPN, TNT, ABC and NBA TV. These streaming services allow you to watch the games live.

• FuboTV: Select games
• DirecTV: All games
• MAX: TNT broadcasted games only
• Sling: All games
• Hulu+ Live TV: Select games
• YouTube TV: Select games

You’ll need a subscription to the streaming services above. Some streamers only show select games and may have regional blackouts