NBA Playoffs: Watch the Lakers vs Blazers, 76ers vs Celtics and More This Week on DStv

Viewers on DStv can look forward to thrills and spills from the world’s best basketball league, as ESPN 2 brings live playoff action from the 2019-20 National Basketball Association (NBA) season this coming week, Friday 21 to Thursday 27 August 2020. DStv is your home of the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.

epa08606501 Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony (C) reacts with Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (L) and guard Gary Trent Jr. (R) after Anthony made a three-point basket against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of the Western Conference play-in NBA basketball game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida, USA, 15 August 2020. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER SHUTTERSTOCK OUT

The first live match available to viewers this week arrives on the evening of Friday 21 August when the Denver Nuggets visit the Utah Jazz (9:00pm LIVE on ESPN 2). Denver have had an up and down season thus far, though coach Michael Malone didn’t hold his punches when he said he was “embarrassed” by his team’s defence heading into their series with Utah.  “We have the worst defence in the bubble, so we haven’t seen much progress in any area in regard to anything defensive related,” Malone said. “Communication, transition, pick-and-roll, three-point, whatever you want to call it.”

Saturday 22 August brings the Indiana Pacers at home to the Miami Heat (8:30pm LIVE on ESPN 2), while early Sunday morning sees the LA Lakers visit the Portland Trail Blazers (01:30pm LIVE on ESPN 2). Lakers coach Frank Vogel believes the adversity faced by his players amid the coronavirus pandemic has helped strengthen their resolve. “We’ve been through a lot this year, but really all of it is just a build up to us,” Vogel said, before adding: “No one could have foreseen the way this year was going to play out. It was full of challenges, but adversity strengthens you.

“It gives you an opportunity for your group to come together, and I feel like our group is very tied together and confident in what we can accomplish. Hopefully we can persevere through all that stuff and go on a heck of a run.”

Later the same day, the Philadelphia 76ers host the Boston Celtics (6:00pm LIVE on ESPN 2), while early on Monday 24 August the defending NBA Champions, the Toronto Raptors, will tackle the Brooklyn Nets.

epa08590952 Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (L) in action against Boston Celtics center Daniel Theis of Germany (R) during the first half of the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida, USA, 07 August 2020. The NBA season has restarted at the Walt Disney World sports complex outside Orlando, Florida. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER SHUTTERSTOCK OUT

The Raptors’ Fred VanVleet is confident that his side can progress into the next round at the expense of the Nets: “We know who we are and that we’re good enough to do it and that we’re tough. It’s going to be hard to beat us four times. If you can do that, we’ll shake your hand and congratulate you. But I think we all like our chances.”

The final confirmed playoff game for the week arrives late on Monday night, as the Houston Rockets face the Oklahoma City Thunder (9:00pm LIVE on ESPN 2).

Visit www.dstvafrica.com to subscribe or upgrade, and join in on the excitement. And while you’re on the move, you can stream the action on DStv Now.

ESPN 2 NBA Broadcast Details

Friday 21 August

9:00pm: Utah Jazz v Denver Nuggets, Game 3 – LIVE on ESPN 2

Saturday 22 August

8:30pm: Indiana Pacers v Miami Heat, Game 3 – LIVE on ESPN 2

Sunday 23 August

01:30am: Portland Trail Blazers v LA Lakers, Game 3 – LIVE on ESPN 2

6:00pm: Philadelphia 76ers v Boston Celtics, Game 4 – LIVE on ESPN 2

Monday 24 August

11:30pm: Brooklyn Nets v Toronto Raptors, Game 4 – LIVE on ESPN 2

9:00pm: Houston Rockets v Oklahoma City Thunder, Game 4 – LIVE on ESPN 2