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Can't Miss NBA Play-In Tournament: Easy Ways to Watch Mavericks vs. Grizzlies FreeDid you know no 10th seed has ever advanced to the actual playoffs under the current NBA Play-In Tournament format? That's about to be tested as the Dallas Mavericks face the Memphis Grizzlies in what promises to be one of the most exciting matchups of the season. The Grizzlies have made quite the comeback story – jumping from 13th place last season to competing for a playoff spot this year. But here's the thing... they're stepping into completely new territory with their first-ever Play-In Tournament appearance. History isn't exactly cheering for either team right now. No play-in team has ever won two road games in the same tournament, creating another barrier for these determined squads. The stakes couldn't be higher as they prepare to battle it out at FedExForum, with the winner earning a shot at the NBA's top regular-season team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here's some good news though – you don't need to spend a single rupee to catch all the action. I'll show you exactly how to watch this win-or-go-home showdown for free, breaking down the best streaming options and everything else you need to know about this crucial matchup. Where and when to watch Mavericks vs. GrizzliesLooking to catch this high-stakes NBA Play-In Tournament without missing a single dribble? Here's everything you need to know about watching the Mavericks-Grizzlies showdown that has basketball fans buzzing across the country. Game date, time, and locationMark your calendars for Friday, April 18, 2025 - that's when these two determined teams will battle it out in a win-or-go-home contest. The action unfolds at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, giving the Grizzlies that crucial home-court advantage. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time (8:30 p.m. Central/6:30 p.m. Pacific). Memphis locals get the slightly earlier 8:30 p.m. start time, while most national viewers will catch this as prime-time evening entertainment. This matchup pits the 10th-seeded Mavericks against the 8th-seeded Grizzlies, with the winner advancing to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. TV channel and broadcast detailsThe game will air nationally on ESPN. As part of the official SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament coverage, ESPN has exclusive broadcast rights for this particular matchup. This follows the league's arrangement where TNT and ESPN team up to televise all six games of the Play-In Tournament. If you've got traditional cable or satellite service, simply tune into ESPN through your regular provider. Not at home? Many sports bars and restaurants will feature this high-profile game on their screens - perfect if you're looking for a more social viewing experience. Streaming platforms with free trialsNo cable subscription? No problem! Here are your best options for streaming the game:
Want to watch completely free? Both FuboTV and DirecTV Stream are your best bets - just sign up for their free trials and cancel before getting billed. Planning to keep a streaming service longer? Sling TV's Orange package includes ESPN and starts at just $33.00 for the first month ($65.99 thereafter) with their current promotion. While Sling doesn't offer a free trial, this discounted rate makes it the most affordable paid option. Already subscribed to YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV? You're in luck - both services carry ESPN, giving you easy access to the game. Best free streaming options for the NBA Play-In TournamentWondering how to watch the Mavericks-Grizzlies clash without burning a hole in your pocket? Good news - you don't need an expensive cable subscription to catch all the NBA Play-In Tournament action. Here's a breakdown of your best free and affordable streaming options. FuboTV: features and trial infoFuboTV gives you a generous seven-day free trial before regular pricing kicks in [7]. After your trial period ends, plans start at $84.99 per month [7]. What makes FuboTV stand out from the crowd? For starters, their comprehensive sports coverage ensures you won't miss any basketball action. The service includes useful features like Cloud DVR functionality, letting you record games you might miss due to other commitments [7]. You'll also get access to your favorite programming on demand, perfect for catching up on analysis and highlights whenever it's convenient for you. DirecTV Stream: what you getDirecTV Stream offers new subscribers a five-day free trial [8]. Their My Sports package, which includes all the ESPN and TNT coverage you need for the NBA Play-In Tournament, costs $69.99 per month after your trial [9]. This package doesn't just cover the basics - you'll get access to all the channels necessary for watching basketball games live, including ABC, ESPN, TNT, FOX Sports, NBA TV, and over 40 Regional Sports Networks [10]. This makes DirecTV Stream a complete solution for basketball fans beyond just the Play-In Tournament. The cherry on top? The service even includes ESPN+ at no additional cost, giving you extra sports content to enjoy [5]. Sling TV: current deals and limitationsWhile Sling TV doesn't offer a free trial, they currently have something that might be even better for your wallet: 50% off your first month [11]. Their Orange package, which carries essential channels like ESPN and TNT, costs just $23.00 for your first month ($46.00 regularly) [11]. There are a few limitations to keep in mind, though... For games broadcast on ABC, you'll need to use ESPN3 (included in the Orange package) which simulcasts ABC games [11]. Want NBA TV too? You'll need to add the Sports Extra pack for an additional $11.00 monthly [11]. Despite these limitations, at $34.00 total for your first month with the Sports add-on, Sling remains the most budget-friendly option compared to other streaming services [11]. Understanding the NBA Play-In Tournament formatEver wondered how the NBA managed to make the end of regular season even more exciting? Since the 2020-21 season, the NBA Play-In Tournament has done exactly that by expanding the postseason field to 20 teams. This clever format gives more teams a shot at playoff glory while still maintaining the traditional 16-team playoff structure. How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work?The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament isn't your standard playoff format. It involves teams that finish 7th through 10th in each conference's standings [12], creating a mini-tournament where these teams must earn their spot in the official playoff bracket. Let me break down the tournament structure for you:
What this means... teams in 7th and 8th positions get two chances to win one game, while 9th and 10th-place teams must win two consecutive games to advance [13]. Talk about pressure! What's at stake for Mavericks and Grizzlies?This particular matchup features the 10th-seeded Mavericks against the 9th-seeded Grizzlies in a win-or-go-home situation [2]. The stakes couldn't be higher - the winner continues their NBA journey while the loser's season comes to an abrupt end [2]. For Dallas, this game carries massive historical significance as they attempt to become the first 10-seed ever to qualify for the NBA Playoffs through the play-in format [14]. On the other side, the Grizzlies posted a solid 48-34 regular season record [14] and aim to capitalize on their regular season success against Dallas, having won the season series 3-1 [2]. When did the NBA Play-In Tournament start?The Play-In Tournament concept first emerged during the COVID-disrupted 2019-20 season [15]. Initially designed for the NBA "bubble" at Walt Disney World, this inaugural version had a different format where the 9th seed needed to win two games against the 8th seed, while the 8th seed only needed one victory [15]. After this experimental phase, the NBA Board of Governors officially approved the current format in November 2020 [3] and made it permanent on July 22, 2022 [3]. The tournament has already created some unforgettable moments, most notably when the Miami Heat became the first 10-seed to advance to the playoffs in 2025 [3] and eventually reached the NBA Finals in 2023 [3]. Despite its brief history, the Play-In Tournament has clearly fulfilled its purpose - increasing competition and giving more teams a legitimate shot at postseason glory. What happens after the Play-In: Playoff implicationsThe clock is ticking for both teams as Friday's Mavericks-Grizzlies showdown approaches. This isn't just any game... it's a defining moment that determines who continues their NBA journey and who packs up for the season. Who the winner will face in the playoffsThe team that survives this elimination battle will advance to the playoffs as the Western Conference's No. 8 seed [16]. This achievement comes with a serious challenge - a best-of-seven first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who dominated the regular season to finish as the West's top seed [17]. Talk about a quick turnaround - Game 1 of this high-stakes series is scheduled to tip off on Sunday [16]. This gives the winner barely any time to celebrate before they need to prepare for a well-rested Thunder squad that most analysts consider the heavy favorite [17]. The Grizzlies might have the mental edge heading into Friday's contest, having won the regular season series against Dallas 3-1 [2]. Their most recent victory came just last Sunday when they demolished the Mavericks 132-97 in the regular-season finale - though it's worth noting that most regular rotation players for both teams sat out that game [16]. How the Play-In fits into the NBA Playoffs bracketThe NBA Play-In Tournament serves as the preliminary postseason event that determines the final two playoff seeds in each conference [3]. Once Friday's game settles who claims the West's eighth seed, the standard 16-team playoff format kicks off on April 19 [1]. Here's how the playoff schedule breaks down:
Each conference sends eight teams to the playoffs, with the top six seeds qualifying automatically based on their regular season records [19]. The final two seeds emerge from the play-in tournament, completing the 16-team field [19]. Why this game matters more than everBeyond just making the playoffs, this matchup carries significant historical weight. Did you know that until 2025, no 10th seed had ever successfully navigated the play-in tournament to reach the actual playoffs [3]? The Miami Heat finally shattered that barrier this year, becoming the first 10-seed to advance [3]. What's even more interesting is how play-in teams have increasingly made serious noise in the playoffs. Most impressively, the 2022-23 Miami Heat fought their way all the way to the NBA Finals after entering as a play-in team [3]. Similarly, the Lakers reached the Conference Finals after qualifying as just a 7-seed [20]. These precedents show that Friday's winner isn't just earning a participation trophy - they're gaining a legitimate shot at making a deep postseason run, regardless of where they finished in the regular season standings. ConclusionWhat an incredible opportunity for basketball fans to witness history in the making! This NBA Play-In Tournament matchup between the Mavericks and Grizzlies isn't just another game - it's a winner-takes-all battle with both teams fighting against challenging odds. Their determination to secure that final playoff spot promises an edge-of-your-seat showdown at FedExForum. The best part? You don't need an expensive cable subscription to catch all the action. Several streaming platforms offer free trials that give you front-row access to this crucial game. FuboTV and DirecTV Stream stand out as perfect choices if you're looking for completely cost-free viewing options. Not interested in the hassle of canceling a free trial? Sling TV's current half-off promotion makes it the most budget-friendly choice for longer-term access. The team that emerges victorious will get more than just the eighth seed... they'll earn a shot at challenging the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and potentially making a deep playoff run. Recent history has shown us that Play-In teams can absolutely shatter expectations - just look at the Miami Heat's remarkable journey to the NBA Finals last season! Don't forget to sign up for your preferred streaming service before tip-off time this Friday at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Whether you choose FuboTV's comprehensive sports coverage or DirecTV Stream's complete package, you'll be all set to witness every heart-pounding moment of this win-or-go-home contest. FAQsQ1. When and where is the Mavericks vs. Grizzlies Play-In Tournament game taking place? The game is scheduled for Friday, April 18, 2025, at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time. It will be held at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Q2. How can I watch the Mavericks vs. Grizzlies game for free? You can watch the game for free by signing up for free trials on streaming platforms like FuboTV or DirecTV Stream. Both services include ESPN in their channel lineup, which will broadcast the game. Q3. What's at stake in this Play-In Tournament game? The winner of this game will secure the 8th seed in the Western Conference playoffs and advance to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round. The loser's season will end. Q4. How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work? The Play-In Tournament involves teams that finish 7th through 10th in each conference. The 7th and 8th place teams get two chances to win one game, while the 9th and 10th place teams must win two consecutive games to advance to the playoffs. Q5. Has a 10th seed ever made it to the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament? Yes, the Miami Heat became the first 10th seed to qualify for the playoffs through the Play-In Tournament in 2025. They went on to reach the NBA Finals in the 2022-23 season, demonstrating that Play-In teams can make deep playoff runs. References[1] - https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/series/125422677/nba-play-in-game-live-gameday |
Can't Miss NBA Play-In Tournament: Easy Ways to Watch Mavericks vs. Grizzlies Free
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April 18, 2025
