The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors will be in this year’s National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals, a repeat of last year’s final. It is the Cleveland Cavaliers’ second consecutive appearance in the NBA Finals and third appearance overall but is yet to become NBA Champions. While the Golden State Warriors are reigning champions and also claimed the title in 1975.

Last year’s NBA Finals become the most watched series since Michael Jordan’s last season with the Chicago Bulls in 1998. The series averaged 19.94 million viewers on ABC (American Broadcasting Company) and this year it is expected to have similar high ratings.

Previously you weren’t able to stream the NBA Finals without cable, but for 2016 there are various alternatives. Here’s a look at how you can legally watch the NBA Finals starting on June, 2.

Cord cutters rejoice

If you are looking for ways to legally watch the NBA Finals online without a cable subscription, Mr. Cable Cutter, writing for CutCableToday, offers the following two solutions:

Sling TV

For $20 per month — with no contract — Sling TV subscribers have live access to a range of cable TV channels, including ESPN, TNT, AMC, and more.

Sling TV also has ABC streaming live in various markets including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. As ABC is not included in the $20 basic package, you will pay an additional $5 per month for the Broadcast Extra package and can enjoy watching the NBA Finals live on ABC.  

Watch the NBA Finals on the WatchESPN app

If you are not based in an area that offers ABC live streaming or would prefer not to spend the extra $5 per month, you can also watch the NBA Finals on the WatchESPN app. While ABC is the official carrier of the NBA Finals, ESPN3 will be simulcasting it.

ESPN3 will be offering live and on-demand coverage of the NBA Finals on the app, which you can sign into using your Sling TV credentials.

The WatchESPN app is available for download on Amazon Fire TV, Android, Kindle Fire, Android TV, iOS and Apple TV, Roku, Windows 10,and  Xbox One. The iOS app supports AirPlay on both iPhone and iPad, and all the mobile apps include support for Chromecast.

Sign up for Sling TV > download the WatchESPN app > sign in with your Sling TV credentials. You can then watch the games on your phone, tablet or broadcast it to your TV with a streaming device like the Amazon Fire TV or Roku 3.

Right now, Sling TV is offering a 7-day free trial so you can sign up and test out Sling TV for the first few games of the NBA Finals free of charge. After which you can sign up for the basic package at $20 per month to enjoy the rest of the games.

PlayStation Vue

Like Sling TV, Sony’s PlayStation Vue lets you stream live TV over the Internet and you can enjoy the NBA Finals without cable. PlayStation Vue also offers live streaming of ABC, but like Sling TV it is limited to certain locations and is only available live in Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, and Dallas.

Note: PlayStation Vue’s device support is slightly more limited and only includes options to watch on PS3 and PS4 consoles, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, iPad, and iPhone. You are also unable to watch live content on your iPhone or iPad when away from your home network.

If you are not in one of these seven locations, you can make use of the WatchESPN app and sign in with your Vue credentials. Sign up for Vue > download the WatchESPN app > sign in with your Vue credentials.

PlayStation Vue has a Slim package — for $29.99 per month while markets with live ABC will pay $39.99 per month. Vue also offers a 7-day free trial, which will allow you to test out Vue and enjoy the first few games of the NBA Finals free of charge before signing up for one of the Vue packages.  

Another alternative to watch ABC without cable

You can use either Sling TV or Playstation Vue to watch the NBA Finals without cable, but you can also get ABC in HD for free if you live close to a broadcast tower and have an antenna.

NBA Finals’ schedule

The Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Golden State Warriors in the best-of-seven matches with the winning team becoming the NBA 2016 Champions.

*If necessary

Image credit: Erik Drost; Flickr