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TL;DR: Live stream Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Miami Heat are heading up north, just a bit, to face the Orlando Magic at Kia Center for an Eastern Conference matchup. The Heat are trying to work their way up the ladder, with a 13-12 record which puts them in sixth place. The Magic are faring slightly better with a 17-12 record that puts them in fourth place.
The Heat have won four of their last five games, and although they are coming off a loss, it was a nail-biting 125-124 loss in overtime to the Detroit Pistons. The Magic, on the other hand, are trying to come out of a slide. Orlando has lost four of their last five games, including three straight coming into this matchup.
When is Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic ?Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic in the NBA starts at 7 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This game takes place at Kia Center in Orlando.
How to watch Miami Heat vs. Orlando MagicYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Heat vs. Magic basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Heat vs. Magic from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Golden State Warriors head to Target Center to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in a Western Conference showdown. The Warriors are 14-12, which lands them in tenth place in the west. The Timberwolves are also 14-12, at eighth place.
The Warriors are facing a bit of a slide, they've lost four of their last five games. The Timberwolves are the opposite, winning three of their last five. The bigger problem that Golden State is facing is that they've lost five straight road games, and Minnesota is 8-5 at home.
When is Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves?Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This game takes place at Target Center in Minnesota.
How to watch Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Warriors vs. Timberwolves basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Warriors vs. Timberwolves from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The New York Knicks head to Smoothie King Center to face the New Orleans Pelicans in what might be considered an unfair matchup. The Knicks are one of the NBA's best, with a 17-10 record that puts them at third place in the Eastern Conference. On the other hand, the Pelicans have one of the worst records in the NBA at 5-23, which puts them in last place in the Western Conference. The only team with a worst record is the Washington Wizards at 4-21 in the Eastern Conference.
The Knicks have won three of their last five games and are looking for their fifth straight road win. The Pelicans have lost five straight games, their last win came against the Phoenix Suns on December 5.
When is New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans?New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This game takes place at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
This game will air on NBA TV.
How to watch New York Knicks vs. New Orleans PelicansYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Knicks vs. Pelicans basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Knicks vs. Pelicans from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream New York Knicks vs. New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Los Angeles Clippers are back at American Airlines Center for a second matchup against the Dallas Mavericks this week. The Clippers and the Mavericks are back-to-back in the Western Conference standings. The Mavericks are in the lead with a 17-10 record in fourth place, while the Clippers are 16-12 in fifth place.
These two teams faced off earlier this week, where the Clippers beat the Mavericks, 118-95. That win gave the Clippers their second win in a row, after losing the three games before that. The Mavericks have won three of their last five games.
When is Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks?Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA starts at 8:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This game takes place at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
How to watch Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas MavericksYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Clippers vs. Pelicans basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Clippers vs. Mavericks from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Detroit Pistons head to Footprint Center to face the Phoenix Suns in non-conference action. Both teams are struggling to stay relevant in their respective conferences. The Pistons are 11-17, which puts them at 11th place in the Eastern Conference. The Suns are 14-12, which puts them in ninth place in the Western Conference.
The Pistons have been up and down, winning just two of their last five games. Detroit is coming off a 126-119 loss to the Utah Jazz. The Suns have also won just two of their last five games, and are coming off a 120-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers.
When is Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns?Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA starts at 9 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This game takes place at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
How to watch Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix SunsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Pistons vs. Suns basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Pistons vs. Suns from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Detroit Pistons vs. Phoenix Suns in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
Tesla recalled nearly 700,000 vehicles this week due to an issue with the tire pressure warning light. The problem could cause users to unknowingly drive on low-pressure tires.
"The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure," wrote the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in a statement.
The recall affects certain 2024 Cybertrucks, 2017-2025 Model 3s, and 2020-2025 Model Ys. In good news for Tesla owners, the company said it released a free over-the-air software update that would remedy the problem. Letters notifying affected owners are scheduled to be mailed on Feb. 15.
SEE ALSO: The story in which we highlight yet another Tesla Cybertruck recallA Reuters report, citing recall management firm BizzyCar, stated that Tesla accounted for 21 percent of all U.S. recalls in the first three quarters of 2024, though most issues were resolved with software updates.
The Cybertruck, especially, has been the subject of several high-profile recalls throughout the year.
TL;DR: Live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Philadelphia 76ers are heading to Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to face the Cleveland Cavaliers in an Eastern Conference showdown. The 76ers are having a rough season, with a 9-16 record that lands them in 12th place. Cleveland is one of the best teams in the NBA, let alone the Eastern Conference, with a 24-4 record for an NBA best right now.
The 76ers have fared well in their last few games, winning three of their last five. Philadelphia is also coming off a win over the Charlotte Hornets. Cleveland is doing just slightly better than that, winning four of their last five games. The Cavaliers have won back-to-back games over the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards.
When is Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers?Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This game takes place at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.
How to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland CavaliersYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the 76ers vs. Cavaliers basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch 76ers vs. Cavaliers from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.
The Boston Celtics are back at United Center to face the Chicago Bulls for the second time this week. The two faced off a couple days ago with the Bulls coming out on top, 117-108. Both teams have won three of their last five games, but the Celtics are coming off the recent loss to the Bulls, where the Bulls are riding a three-game win streak into this matchup.
The Celtics are higher ranked, for now, with a 21-6 record in second place. The Bulls are 13-15 and in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. The good news for Boston is that the team closest to them, the third place New York Knicks, only has 17 wins, so another loss will not force them to slide in the rankings.
When is Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls?Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This game takes place at United Center in Chicago.
How to watch Boston Celtics vs. Chicago BullsYou need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Celtics vs. Bulls basketball game.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get DealYouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Celtics vs. Bulls from anywhere in the worldIf you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
Sign in to your favorite streaming app
Watch Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls in the NBA with ExpressVPN.
Zelle, the payments app you likely use primarily to send rent to your landlord, is at the center of a lawsuit announced Friday by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
The CFPB is suing the fintech firm Early Warning Services — the bank-owned company that runs Zelle — as well as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, claiming that customers of the banks lost more than $870 million over Zelle's seven-year existence.
A statement from the CFPB said Zelle and the banks failed "to protect consumers from widespread fraud on America’s most widely available peer-to-peer payment network," claiming Zelle was rushed to market "to compete against growing payment apps such as Venmo and CashApp, without implementing effective consumer safeguards."
Tweet may have been deleted"The nation’s largest banks felt threatened by competing payment apps, so they rushed to put out Zelle," said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra in the statement. "By their failing to put in place proper safeguards, Zelle became a gold mine for fraudsters, while often leaving victims to fend for themselves."
A Senate report over the summer noted that the banks reimbursed just 38 percent of fraud claims on Zelle. Banks often don't pay for claims by noting that customers were scammed into making authorized payments, which the banks aren't required to reimburse, CNBC reported.
"The banks failed to fix glaring flaws in their systems even as hundreds of thousands of customers filed complaints about fraud," Chopra told reporters on Friday, via CNBC. "The banks knew their customers were having their money stolen, but since they weren't bearing the cost of these losses themselves, they dragged their feet on fixing the problems."
The banks and Zelle, meanwhile, have pushed back against the suit, with Early Warning Services calling it "meritless" and a JPMorgan Chase spokesperson telling The Hill it was "a last ditch effort in pursuit of [the CFPB's] political agenda"
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Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1minAI: Lifetime Subscription £31.82 at the Mashable ShopThe free version of AI models like ChatGPT can get the job done, but if you want the good stuff, you should consider opting for a paid subscription.
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Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Windows 11 Pro: Lifetime license £14.30 at the Mashable ShopDid you hear? Microsoft gave their latest and greatest operating system, Windows 11 Pro, an all-new 2024 feature update — enhancing Copilot, speeding up the platform code, and improving phone integrations. If you’ve been holding off on upgrading, now might be the time.
Through 22 December, you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro: £14.30 (reg. £158.36). We only have 75 codes available at this price, so act fast if you’re interested. Each code can upgrade two PCs.
What’s inside Microsoft’s best OS to dateMany people upgrade simply to get the new user design. Windows 11 looks much more futuristic than other versions, with new app icons, rounded corners, and a centered bottom taskbar. It almost looks like macOS.
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Unique features not found on the Home versionYou’re getting Windows 11 Pro, not Windows 11 Home, which is free for most users. This means you get extra features:
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Opens in a new window Credit: Rosetta Stone The Unlimited Lifetime Learning Subscription Bundle ft. Rosetta Stone $189.99 at the Mashable ShopIf you’ve been searching for the perfect gift for someone who loves learning — or maybe you’re the one eager to grow — look no further. The Unlimited Lifetime Learning Subscription Bundle offers lifetime access to tools that can transform how you learn languages and master new skills.
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Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2017) i5 8GB RAM 128GB SSD (Refurbished) $249.97 at the Mashable ShopThe start of a new year is the ideal time to upgrade your tools for work, study, or play, and this grade-A refurbished Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2017) is just the ticket. For only $249.97 (down from $999), you can enjoy the sleek design, reliable performance, and long battery life that MacBooks are known for — without the hefty price tag.
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TL;DR: Through Dec. 22, you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for $17.97 instead of $199 — that’s a 90% discount.
Is your PC still running on Windows 10? You probably got that notification that Microsoft ended security support for that OS, meaning it might finally be time to get Windows 11. Why not get the most advanced version at an all-time low price?
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Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $17.97The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.
With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.
So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, December 21, 2024:
AcrossZap with a beam of lightThe answer is Lase.
The answer is Winter.
The answer is Century.
The answer is Age.
The answer is Die.
The answer is Rookies.
The answer is Longer.
The answer is Debs.
The answer is Line one.
The answer is Ant.
The answer is Studies.
The answer is Eerier.
The answer is We good.
The answer is Ryes.
The answer is Carl.
The answer is KGB.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Mini Crossword.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 21 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Just keep winning
Green: Backwards and forwards
Blue: Mascots for women's hockey
Purple: Leading football team into the playoffs
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Sustained stretch of success
Green: Palindromes
Blue: PWHL teams
Purple: Coaches of College Football Playoff teams
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #89 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todaySustained stretch of success - FLURRY, RALLY, RUN, SPURT
Palindromes - KAYAK, PEP, RACE CAR, RADAR
PWHL teams - FLEET, FROST, SCEPTRES, SIRENS
Coaches of College Football Playoff teams - DAY, FREEMAN, SMART, SWINNEY
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.
No astronaut has ever stepped foot on Mars, but that doesn't mean humans haven't left their mark — literally.
Since 1971 when the Soviet Union's Mars 2 spacecraft crash-landed onto the Red Planet, people have littered the Martian surface with man-made junk, quite a feat from an average of 140 million-miles away. Broken spacecraft debris, parachutes, and rover tracks are just some of the ways our species has disrupted the foreign environment — not to mention the hardy Earthling bacteria it has inadvertently sent there.
Now a group of anthropologists, led by University of Kansas researcher Justin Holcomb, is calling for NASA and fellow space agencies to create a catalog of known objects on the neighboring planet, before its harsh environment batters and buries the artifacts. Existing databases, like the United Nation's Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space, could provide the framework for tracking materials, the team proposes.
"It's not trash; it's actually really important," said Holcomb in a statement. "The solution to trash is removal, but the solution to heritage is preservation. There's a big difference."
SEE ALSO: A rocket will crash into the moon. It'll leave way more than a scar. A map indicates the 14 mission locations on Mars, sites where a team of anthropologists says there are human-made artifacts that should be preserved. Credit: NASA / Justin Holcomb, et al.Usually when scientists talk about "space junk," they are referring to the immense amount of debris orbiting the planet that endangers satellites and threatens the safety of astronauts on the International Space Station. The Department of Defense tracks about 27,000 artificial objects near Earth that are four inches or larger, but many smaller pieces can't be detected.
NASA has estimated there are about 500,000 marble-size objects that aren't monitored. That's worrisome because a tiny fleck of garbage, like a screw zooming at 15,700 mph, could be problematic or disastrous for a spacecraft.
But the idea of space junk as an archaeological record of humanity is not an entirely new concept, either.
NASA published an inventory in 2012 of about 800 items discarded or installed on the moon. The catalog includes astronaut poop, scoops and tongs, moonquake experiments, a hammer, vomit bags, orbiters, cameras, mirrors, golf balls, cosmic ray detectors, shoes, dead rovers, and $2 bills.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin stands beside a planted American flag on the moon. Credit: Bettmann / Getty ImagesThe purpose wasn't really to take accountability for the mess but to keep a log of the items sprawling the moon so they can be mapped and preserved. And, yes, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's poop are among those historical artifacts. Some even consider them science.
In the dozen years since the lunar catalog was released, much has changed. Now commercial companies are crashing — and sometimes landing — on the moon, too. Five years ago, for example, Israel's failed Beresheet landing spilled dehydrated tardigrades, aka microscopic "water bears," among its crashed cargo. And notoriously secretive nations who have become spacefarers have left behind their own share of trash.
Right now there are no plans to update the moon catalog, Brian Odom, NASA's chief historian, told Mashable.
"Certainly not a bad idea," he said, "but nothing is in the works at the moment."
The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter captured an aerial view of a 12-mile-high dust devil on Mars in 2012. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / University of ArizonaFor Mars, archaeologists are less concerned about competing nations and companies disrupting landing sites as they are about nature. Geoarchaeology is the study of how geology affects archaeological sites. But scientists know little about how cosmic radiation, ice action, and dust storms — the conditions of another world — will affect these objects over time.
Scientists are aware of the hazards of dust devils churning up Martian dirt. About 12 years ago, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter caught sight of an extraordinary one with a plume stretching 12 miles into the sky. Dust devils, typically smaller than tornadoes, are whirlwinds that make a funnel-like chimney, channeling warmer air up and around. Sometimes they can blow dust off surfaces, but they're not reliably helpful in that way.
The Red Planet has already caked soil on the solar panels of NASA's InSight lander, which stopped working in 2022. It's now heavily camouflaged in the desert. And a broken blade of the Ingenuity helicopter, which suffered a fatal mishap in January, is barely visible, due to its relatively small size in the vast environment.
NASA's Ingenuity helicopter, far right, sits on Mars after losing a rotor blade, laying about 50 feet to the left. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / LANL / CNES / CNRSHolcomb, whose team authored the paper proposing a Mars catalog in Nature Astronomy this week, is most worried about sand dunes.
"The Spirit Rover, for example, is right next to an encroaching dune field that will eventually bury it," he said. "Once it's buried, it becomes very difficult to relocate.”
NASA's Mars Exploration program has no plans to centralize an inventory of objects, but doing so may not be as difficult as one might assume. Each Mars mission team keeps track of its own hardware, Karen Fox, an agency spokeswoman, told Mashable; the lists just haven't been combined.
"These artifacts are very much like hand axes in East Africa or Clovis points in America," Holcomb said. "They represent the first presence, and from an archaeological perspective, they are key points in our historical timeline of migration."
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Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1minAI: Lifetime Subscription $39.97It's easy to read Chris Sanders' The Wild Robot and Gints Zilbalodis' Flow — two of the best films of 2024 — as companion pieces. Both are animated, both feature little to no human involvement, and both center on unlikely animal allies (and one incredible robot) coming together against all odds. But the similarities between these films go further than skin-deep. The true connective tissue here is the unspoken calamity that's befallen the animals' worlds, hinted at in shots of flooded cities totally devoid of human activity.
SEE ALSO: The 25 best movies of 2024, and where to watch themNo one in either film will say the words "climate change" or "sea level rise." (No one in Flow will say anything, as all the animals communicate via natural animal sounds.) But no one needs to. As The Wild Robot and Flow unfold, it's impossible to deny the role climate change has played in shaping their worlds. Geese migrate over a submerged Golden Gate Bridge in The Wild Robot, while the entirety of Flow focuses on a band of animals trying to survive a flood of biblical proportions. These moments are enough to tell us that while climate change may not be the express message of either movie, it is an inextricable part of their settings — just as it's become an inextricable part of our own real-life experience.
By simply using climate change as a world-building element, The Wild Robot and Flow manage to speak volumes about it. That feat is doubly important given that the films will primarily reach younger audiences who will grow up with climate change and its impacts. For many young viewers, this might even be the first time they experience art that deals with climate change at all. Thankfully, they're in good hands. Sanders and Zilbalodis have created films that speak to these younger generations about climate change in a way that is accessible and honest, all without being bleak. Mashable spoke with both Sanders and Zilbalodis to learn more about climate change's vital, yet carefully understated, role in their respective films.
Flow and The Wild Robot communicate the realities of climate change to young audiences. The cat in "Flow" takes a swim. Credit: Sideshow and Janus FilmsThanks to clear, deliberate imagery, The Wild Robot and Flow establish the presence of climate change in their films in mere seconds.
The Wild Robot first gestures to climate change in a jokey brochure for Florida that pops up at the film's start. Boasting that the state now has "more shoreline than ever," the brochure implies that sea level rise has changed our world. The film pays that gag off later with the reveal of the submerged Golden Gate Bridge, whose roadway currently stands 220 feet above sea level. According to the Los Angeles Times, the idea for this imagery came about during director Chris Sanders' discussions with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) about how to portray climate change in the film.
"If we were to show landmarks that had shifted, it had to be things that we would really recognize," Sanders told Mashable over Zoom. "That's where the Golden Gate Bridge came from. I figure that's a very iconic thing, not only in the United States but around the world."
SEE ALSO: Why the U.S. will get a whole lotta sea level riseThe use of well-known Earth iconography wasn't an option for Flow director Gints Zilbalodis, as Flow takes place in a fantasy world. Yet early scenes — before the flood hits — take a similar tact to The Wild Robot, by presenting something familiar jarringly out of place. Here, a glimpse of a rowboat caught in a tree's branches suggests that there has been a catastrophic flood before and that humans were once present.
"These environments are not decorative," Zilbalodis told Mashable on a Zoom call. "They're there to tell the story and help us understand these characters. So it's all there for a reason."
These environments are not decorative. They're there to tell the story. - Gints ZilbalodisThe Wild Robot and Flow don't stop at these environmental cues to indicate how climate change figures into the lives of their heroes. Instead, the characters who inhabit these environments become a key part of why the films' portrayal of climate change is so moving.
The Wild Robot and Flow's nonhuman focus asks, "Who will bear the brunt of climate change?" The geese begin their migration in "The Wild Robot." Credit: DreamWorks AnimationNone of the characters in Flow and The Wild Robot are human. The Wild Robot focuses on robot Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong'o) and her animal companions, while in Flow, a small black cat hops onboard a sailboat alongside a capybara, a lemur, a secretarybird, and a Golden Retriever. Though not human, their collective point of view offers up a new perspective on climate change — one that is primed for sympathy.
"I think we care more about a cat in this situation than a person," Zilbalodis said. "For better or worse, we care more about animals in film."
That statement rings especially true in Flow and The Wild Robot's moments of crisis. After all, when we're watching Flow's cat fight for its life on a flooding boat, or The Wild Robot's island animals struggling through an unusually intense winter storm, we're watching innocents bear the brunt of something they don't understand, and crucially, something they had no part in causing.
"When these events are happening to animals, it's poignant, because they had nothing to do with it," Sanders explained.
When these events are happening to animals, it's poignant, because they had nothing to do with it. - Chris SandersThe same could also be said of younger generations in our current reality, who are inheriting a world that's been drastically altered by human-accelerated climate change. With this in mind, The Wild Robot and Flow don't just speak to young audiences about the climate crisis, they also speak for them. The innocent animals become stand-ins for young viewers for whom these images of flooding and intense storms are becoming the norm. Similarly, older generations who won't experience the full impact of climate change take on the role of the films' absent humans. They won't have to deal with the perils they've helped intensify, but those they've left behind certainly will.
The Wild Robot and Flow are honest but hopeful about a future defined by climate change. The cat from "Flow" tours a flooded city. Credit: Sideshow and Janus FilmsDespite the daunting worlds they present, neither The Wild Robot nor Flow is all doom and gloom about climate change. Both instead present hopeful paths forward to their young audiences.
For Sanders, the humans' absence from the wider world in The Wild Robot is a sign of hope. In the film, they have sequestered themselves in smaller, high-tech cities to reduce their impact on the environment. "I like the idea that people concentrate themselves in some places so that other places can heal," Sanders explained, citing real-world incidents like the re-wilding of Chernobyl and the resurgence of animal life in urban areas during COVID-19 isolation as inspiration.
That sense of assurance comes through even in the Golden Gate Bridge scene. Whales swim over the bridge's submerged roadbed, proving that nature can adapt to and even thrive in a shifting world. Nature thrives similarly in Flow, with fish and whales floating through flooded cities and forests.
In Flow, hope surfaces as the floodwaters recede, allowing the cat and its companions to set foot on dry land once more. But their survival is bittersweet. The earlier image of the rowboat in the tree, coupled with a post-credits shot of a whale in an endless stretch of water, suggests that the world is locked in a cycle of flooding that won't be ending any time soon. That doesn't necessarily mean our heroes' journeys are over — it just means they'll have continue to live with these environmental challenges.
SEE ALSO: Is 'The Wild Robot' streaming? Here's how to watch it at home."We see these characters going through these ordeals, and growing together and overcoming their fears. But still, there are some problems that they can't solve about themselves or the world," Zilbalodis said of the ending.
This is true of both films. Roz and the film's many animals can't put a stop to the harsh winter storms that buffet their island, just as Flow's animals can't un-flood the world. Like in real life, the impacts of climate change in the films aren't an easy fix.
Still, these films' broader themes of cooperation point a way forward through a future defined by climate change. For all of Flow, animals from wildly different species put aside their differences to keep their little sailboat afloat. Even creatures as different as a cat and dog find a way to coexist. Then, during The Wild Robot's winter storm sequence, every animal on the island — predator and prey alike — comes together in Roz's home to ensure everyone stays warm and makes it through the intense winter.
That collaboration, both films tell us, is how we survive and mitigate the effects of the climate crisis. Not just for ourselves, but for all the generations to follow. That message of cooperation by itself might not be revolutionary, but The Wild Robot and Flow's subtle yet insistent delivery of it most certainly is.
Flow is now in theaters. The Wild Robot is now available to rent or purchase on digital.
NASA's Juno spacecraft zipped just 930 miles (1,500 kilometers) above the volcanic world Io in 2024. The extraterrestrial vistas, including a view of the most powerful volcano known to humanity, didn't disappoint.
"It's absolutely stunning, stunning imagery," Ashley Davies, a planetary scientist at the space agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, told Mashable.
Other space missions have captured intriguing views of Mars, the moon, and brilliant galaxies. Here are many of the impressive scenes captured this year as humanity reveals what's happening in our solar system neighborhood, and beyond.
SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills. NASA craft snaps close images of volcano-covered world NASA's Juno spacecraft captured this detailed view of Io on Feb. 3, 2024. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSS / Jason PerryAfter swooping by Jupiter's tortured moon on Feb. 3, NASA's Juno spacecraft beamed back some of the closest-ever images of this unique world. The agency's deep space probe came within just 930 miles of Io, following a similar pass in December 2023. Planetary scientists hope these much-anticipated flybys will answer fundamental questions about the mysterious, lava-spewing moon.
Io contains hundreds of volcanoes, many of which are active and hot enough for Juno to detect their heat on the moon's surface.
Two volcanic plumes rising from Io. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSS / AndreaLuck / CC BY 3.0 Unported Unprecedented photo of largest volcano in our solar system Olympus Mons captured by NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter on March 11, 2024. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASUNASA captured an expansive view of the largest volcano known to humanity.
The space agency used its 23-year-old Mars Odyssey orbiter to capture a never-before-seen view of Olympus Mons — a vista similar to how astronauts in a hypothetical orbiting space station might view the behemoth mountain. It's 373 miles (600 kilometers) wide — about the size of Arizona — and 17 miles (27 kilometers) tall. That's over twice as high as commercial airliners fly.
"Normally we see Olympus Mons in narrow strips from above, but by turning the spacecraft toward the horizon we can see in a single image how large it looms over the landscape," NASA's Odyssey project scientist, Jeffrey Plaut, said in a statement. "Not only is the image spectacular, it also provides us with unique science data."
As you can see, it's not a sharply peaked mountain, but a gradually sloping "shield volcano," similar to the Hawaiian volcanoes. It was formed by progressive lava flows, as thick oozing lava layered upon earlier lava flows.
Tweet may have been deleted Spacecraft approaches metal object zooming around Earth, snaps footageA spacecraft carefully approached and imaged a large hunk of metal orbiting Earth in April — a step in tackling humanity's mounting space junk woes.
The delicate space mission, undertaken by the Japanese satellite technology company Astroscale, used its ADRAS-J satellite to travel within several hundred meters of an abandoned section of a non-communicative, derelict rocket, proving it could safely observe in such close proximity.
Tweet may have been deleted Views of the large Japanese rocket debris orbiting Earth. Credit: AstroscaleThe mission is part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA, which is Japan's NASA counterpart) "Commercial Removal of Debris Demonstration" project, which seeks a proven way to remove problematic space junk from Earth's orbit. A collision involving a large object can create thousands more pieces of debris, stoking a domino effect of future impacts.
By December, the ADRAS-J craft came within 15 meters (almost 50 feet) from the derelict rocket upper stage, part of JAXA's H2A rocket, which launched the Earth observation GOSAT satellite in 2009.
The $82 million follow-up mission to capture the sizable piece of space junk, ADRAS-J2, is expected to launch in 2028.
U.S. spacecraft snap views of auroras encircling Earth A view from above Earth showing the vibrant auroras on May 11, 2024. Credit: NOAAA parade of intense solar storms hit Earth in May 2024 — the strongest since Halloween over 20 years ago.
While these outbursts from the active sun can pose serious threats to our electrical grid and communications systems, they also stoke brilliant events in our polar skies, commonly called auroras, or the northern lights. In particular, our medium-sized star recently emitted a number of coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, which are ejections of super hot gas (plasma). "It's like scooping up a piece of the sun and ejecting it into space," Mark Miesch, a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center, previously told Mashable.
When they collide with Earth, solar particles can become trapped by our planet's magnetic field, traveling to the poles and colliding with the molecules and particles in our atmosphere. Then, these atmospheric particles heat up and glow. Three U.S. weather satellites captured this dramatic event from above the North Pole on May 11, showing a glowing ring around places that don't usually witness the dancing lights.
"Multiple coronal mass ejections from the sun sparked an extreme geomagnetic storm around the Earth last week, creating stunning auroras, even in places where the northern lights are rarely seen," NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) explained when it released the image above. "The Southern Hemisphere also reported remarkable auroras from the storm."
Lunar spacecraft lands on its head Japan's robotic SLIM spacecraft landed upside down on the moon in January 2024. Credit: JAXAJapan landed its SLIM spacecraft — short for Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon — on Jan. 19. About a week later, Japan's space agency (JAXA) released an image of the robotic lander (taken by a baseball-sized robot released before landing), revealing why its solar panels failed to generate electricity.
One of SLIM's thrusters malfunctioned 50 meters (around 50 yards) above the lunar surface, resulting in the mishap. Even so, the craft still demonstrated an unprecedented "pinpoint landing," wherein it touched down under 100 meters (about 110 yards) from its intended target.
"The pinpoint landing performance was evaluated to be at approximately 10m or less, possibly about 3 - 4m," JAXA said in a statement.
NASA rover finds damaged helicopter in middle of Mars desertAfter a rough landing this year, the damaged Ingenuity helicopter can't fly again. NASA's nearby Perseverance rover spotted the grounded extraterrestrial chopper sitting alone in a valley on Mars in early February 2024.
The NASA image below, processed and enhanced by the geovisual designer Simeon Schmauß, underscores the desolation of profoundly arid Mars, a desert planet that's largely lost its insulating atmosphere and is 1,000 times drier than the driest desert on Earth.
The Ingenuity helicopter is visible just below the center of this image. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU / Simeon SchmaußBoth the Perseverance rover and its former aerial scout, Ingenuity, had been searching for the best places to look for past evidence of Martian life — should any ever have existed. Now the car-sized rover will hunt alone.
Before its accident, the Ingenuity craft made history. The experimental robot was the first craft to ever make a powered, controlled flight on another planet. And then, it kept flying. Ingenuity flew on Mars a whopping 72 times — engineers initially hoped it might fly five times, if at all. It flew distances as far as 2,315 feet.
And it overcame a daunting flight challenge. The Martian atmosphere is quite thin, with a volume about one percent of Earth's. This makes it difficult to generate the lift needed for flight. To take to the air, Ingenuity spun its four-foot rotor blades at a blazing 2,400 revolutions every minute.
Rough robotic U.S. moon landing The robotic Odysseus spacecraft landing on the moon on Feb. 22, 2024. Credit: Intuitive MachinesIntuitive Machines' Odysseus moon lander snapped a leg while landing on the moon in February 2024. An onboard camera caught the dusty touchdown.
While Odysseus' landing wasn't perfect, NASA, which provided $118 million for the commercial mission, hailed the challenging Feb. 22 touchdown as a success. Even in a compromised state, the lander beamed back scientific data from all of NASA's equipment, which included research into space weather and interactions between the spacecraft's plume and the moon's chalky surface.
The mission is part of the space agency's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which picks companies to deliver NASA missions to the moon. This frees the agency, already burdened with an ambitious timeline to return astronauts to the moon under the Artemis program, from having to completely plan and fund missions leading up to human landings. Such a crewed mission won't happen before 2026.
The moon's eclipse shadow crossing over EarthOn April 8, 2024, millions of people in North America witnessed a rare total solar eclipse — when the moon passes in between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on our planet.
For those in the relatively narrow path of totality, it's an experience that cannot be overhyped. "On a scale of one to 10, a partial eclipse is a seven," Terry Virts, a former NASA astronaut who experienced his first total eclipse (from down on Earth) in 2017, told Mashable. "And a total eclipse is a million." (A partial eclipse is when just a portion of the sun is blocked by the moon — an interesting experience, but nothing like totality.)
Here's how the poignant event looked from space, captured by a U.S. science satellite.
Tweet may have been deleted Webb telescope snapped photo of a huge world — in another solar system Epsilon Indi Ab is the orange object in this James Webb Space Telescope image. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI / E. Matthews (Max Planck Institute for Astronomy)The James Webb Space Telescope achieved a rarity — snapping an image of a planet beyond our solar system.
The exoplanet, Epsilon Indi Ab, is located 12 light-years away. That's trillions of miles, but right next door, cosmically speaking. The world is somewhat like the gas giant Jupiter, but twice as massive. (For reference, "If Earth were the size of a grape, Jupiter would be about as big as a basketball," NASA notes.)
The Webb telescope, the most powerful space observatory ever built, used a coronagraph to capture the faint light from this far-off planet. A coronagraph blocks light from a specific star while capturing an image. This allows light from the nearby exoplanet to reach Webb.
"A star symbol marks the location of the host star Epsilon Indi A, whose light has been blocked by the coronagraph, resulting in the dark circle marked with a dashed white line," the NASA said. The orange object is the gas giant Epsilon Indi Ab. Only a "few tens of exoplanets" have been directly imaged before.
Black hole shot a beam through space and NASA snapped stunning footage A 3,000-light-year-long jet of plasma (superheated gas) shooting out from galaxy M87's supermassive black hole. Credit: NASA / ESA / STScI / Alec Lessing (Stanford University) / Mike Shara (AMNH) / Acknowledgment: Edward Baltz (Stanford University) // Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)The M87 galaxy is monstrous.
It contains several trillions of stars, compared to our Milky Way's hundreds of billions. And the supermassive black hole at its center is shooting an outstretched beam of energy into space. The Hubble Space Telescope, operated by NASA and the European Space Agency, has captured a new image of this energetic cosmic event, which produces a beam of superheated gas 3,000 light-years long (a single light-year is nearly 6 trillion miles).
NASA calls this jet "blowtorch-like," and it seems to be triggering many stars near its trajectory to erupt.
"We don't know what's going on, but it's just a very exciting finding," Alec Lessing of Stanford University, who led the research into the finding, said in an agency statement. "This means there's something missing from our understanding of how black hole jets interact with their surroundings."
As the jet shoots through the galaxy, astronomers suspect it's triggering a type of stellar explosion called a "nova." These eruptions happen in double-star systems with an aging star — which is bloated and shedding its layers — and a white dwarf star, which is the hot core of a sun-like star that has shed its mass. The swollen star dumps material (hydrogen) on the white dwarf. "When the dwarf has tanked up a mile-deep surface layer of hydrogen that layer explodes like a giant nuclear bomb," the agency explained. And then the gradual process renews.
NASA rover finds major surprise on Mars — and scientists are excited The "leopard spot" splotches found in a new Mars rock sample. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU / MSSSNASA planetary scientists are excited.
"As a rock geek/scientist and as the Director of @NASAJPL — this is the kind of discovery you hope for — where mind-bending observations make your heart beat just a little faster," NASA's Laurie Leshin posted online in July.
The space agency's Perseverance rover drilled into a Mars rock this summer where the six-wheeled robot had detected organic molecules (aka the "building blocks of life" as we know it). The robot collected a sample, and inside scientists spotted a telltale composition that suggests the potential of ancient microbial life. "The rock exhibits chemical signatures and structures that could possibly have been formed by life billions of years ago when the area being explored by the rover contained running water," NASA said in a statement. But, crucially, much more research, over many years, is needed to confirm this possibility.
The image above shows the novel Martian structures NASA scientists observed in this rock. They're white splotches surrounded by black halos dubbed "leopard spots."
"These spots are a big surprise," David Flannery, an astrobiologist at the Queensland University of Technology and member of the Perseverance science team, said in a statement. "On Earth, these types of features in rocks are often associated with the fossilized record of microbes living in the subsurface."
Colliding galaxies Two galaxies, IC 2163 and NGC 2207, warped after grazing each other millions of years ago. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScIMillions of years ago, the spiral galaxies IC 2163 and NGC 2207 grazed each other, leaving this majestic, though warped, cosmic scene.
That's IC 2163 on left, and the larger NGC 2207 on right. (Our Milky Way galaxy is a spiral, too.)
"The galaxies' first pass may have also distorted their delicately curved arms, pulling out tidal extensions in several places," NASA explained. "The diffuse, tiny spiral arms between IC 2163’s core and its far left arm may be an example of this activity. Even more tendrils look like they’re hanging between the galaxies’ cores. Another extension 'drifts' off the top of the larger galaxy, forming a thin, semi-transparent arm that practically runs off screen."
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