A good basketball match is not only marked by the best plays, the biggest shots, the most impactful defenses and the most aggressive attacks, but also by the rivalry between the teams as a whole.
That’s why in the NBA Basketball Championship basketball there are great clashes between renowned teams, which makes everything much more exciting and fun to watch. With that in mind, we’ve created a list of the 10 greatest NBA rivalries!
Among the most famous are the dispute between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, who are leaders in the number of titles, as well as the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons, which once featured great players who have accumulated admirers to this day.
Here’s a look at the ranking of the 10 biggest NBA rivalries of all time and today!
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The best NBA rivalries
The 10 greatest NBA rivalries of all time: complete list
Check out the list of the greatest NBA rivalries of all time!
- Boston Celtics X Los Angeles Lakers
- Chicago Bulls X Detroy Pistons
- Cleveland Cavaliers X Golden State Warriors
- San Antônio Spurs X Dallas Mavericks
- Los Angeles Clippers X Los Angeles Lakers
- Boston Celtics X Philadelphia 76ers
- Houston Rockets X Dallas Mavericks
- New York Nicks X Miami Heat
- Chicago Bulls X Cleveland Cavaliers
- New York Nicks X Brooklyn Nets
The 10 greatest NBA rivalries of all time: find out more!
Find out more about the best NBA rivalries of all time!
1. Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
There’s no way that the first rivalry on this list isn’t between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Both teams are leaders when it comes to titles won in the NBA, which is why they have a long history of epic clashes that have taken place in the championship finals.
2. Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons
The rivalry between the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons is also very relevant in the history of the NBA, especially in the 1980s and 1990s.
In those years, the games played by both teams were breathtaking, leaving fans either very excited about winning or very frustrated about losing.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors
The rivalry between the Cleveland Cavalier and Golden State Warriors is more recent, with the teams facing off in several consecutive finals.
As a result, fans were more than nervous waiting for the result, which was always very decisive.
4. San Antonio Spurs vs Dallas Mavericks
The rivalry between the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks is also due to their close proximity.
The teams are known for playing very intense matches full of rivalry.
5. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The rivalry between these two NBA teams, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers, is also due to the fact that they are both from Los Angeles, one of the largest cities in California.
So the teams compete to see which is the best team in the city, which has the best players and which has the most wins.
6. Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers is a historic one, as the two Eastern teams usually meet during the playoffs.
These encounters make the excitement for the rest of the competition even greater.
7. Houston Rockets vs Dallas Mavericks
Like the previous examples, the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are considered rivals because they are from the same state, Texas.
Over the years, both teams have competed fiercely to prove which is the biggest in their region.
8. New York Knicks vs Miami Heat
The New York Knicks and the Miami Heat compete to be part of the East Coast of the United States, starring in several unforgettable confrontations that are part of the rivalry between the cities of New York and Miami.
9. Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers
The Chicago Bulls return to the list, now with their rivalry against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The feud between the two teams was more prominent during the era when Michael Jordan was still playing, which made the games much more intense and attractive for NBA fans.
10. New York Nicks vs Brooklyn Nets
The rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets is mainly because they are two teams from New York. However, both teams have a lot of relevance.
The 5 biggest NBA rivalries today
Now, let’s take a look at the 5 biggest rivalries in the NBA today!
- New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets;
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers;
- Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors;
- Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers;
- Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns.
In addition to the classic rivalries, these days these teams are more than ever rivals. Find out more about the 5 biggest NBA rivalries today.
1. New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets
The first matchup is between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets, with players Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges, respectively, vying to be the best.
2. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The classic rivalry still continues today, with both Los Angeles teams often facing each other in thrilling bouts.
3. Memphis Grizzlies vs Golden State Warriors
The teams have been considered great rivals since the 2021 championships, when the Grizzlies won a close contest against the Warriors. This season, the rivalry is more exciting than ever.
4. Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
In current years, the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers is still going strong. Even in 2023, the teams had some thrilling moments in the NBA.
5. Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns
The rivalry between the two teams is more topical than ever and promises to continue in NBA games. In past seasons, the teams have faced each other in breathtaking matches.
These were the NBA’s greatest rivals of all time and today. If you like to know more about the world of basketball, you’re in the right place!
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