NBA play-offs 2021: Who is playing today and how can I watch?

NBA conference semi-finals include Bucks vs Nets and Utah vs LA Clippers as Lakers crash out in first round.

(Getty Images)

The NBA play-offs have already delivered some thrills and spills with the reigning champions Los Angeles Lakers bowing out after being shocked by the Phoenix Suns.

After the play-offs were moved to a bubble in Orlando, Florida last season, home-court advantage returns this year with teams back in their own stadiums and fans permitted in a limited capacity: It proved to be a strange dynamic in the Clippers vs Mavericks series, with the LA-based team emerging victorious 4-3, despite only winning one game at home in the decider on Sunday.

All eyes will be on the Brooklyn Nets to see whether the superstar trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving can lead the team to its first NBA title, but an injury to Harden has thrown the play-offs wide open.

The Nets missed out on securing the number one seed in the East, however, with the Philadelphia 76ers taking top spot. In the West, meanwhile, The Utah Jazz clinched the top seed on their way to earning the NBA’s best regular season record (52-20).

Here’s everything you need to know as we enter the second round.

When do they start?

The first round of the play-offs began on Saturday 21 May and the conference semis began at the start of June.

You can view the current NBA tournament bracket here on the official NBA site.

How can I watch?

All matches can be streamed live via the NBA’s League Pass, which is available from £24.99 per month.

Alternatively, selected matches will be aired across Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Arena and Sky Sports Mix, as well as Sky Sports’ YouTube channel. If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

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Who is in?

Eastern Conference

1st seed: Philadelphia 76ers

2nd seed: Brooklyn Nets

3rd seed: Milwaukee Bucks

4th seed: New York Knicks

5th seed: Atlanta Hawks

6th seed: Miami Heat

7th seed: Boston Celtics

8th seed: Washington Wizards

Western Conference

1st seed: Utah Jazz

2nd seed: Phoenix Suns

3rd seed: Denver Nuggets

4th seed: LA Clippers

5th seed: Dallas Mavericks

6th seed: Portland Trail Blazers

7th seed: LA Lakers

8th seed: Memphis Grizzlies

Who are the favourites?

Brooklyn Nets - 13/8

Utah Jazz - 10/3

LA Clippers - 9/2

Milwaukee Bucks - 13/2

Phoenix Suns - 10/1

Philadelphia 76ers - 14/1

Denver Nuggets - 20/1

Atlanta Hawks - 20/1