Biggest Rivalries in the NBA

The biggest rivalries in the NBA may not be as fierce as they were back in the 1980s and 1990s, but there is still plenty of hatred between certain teams. Below, we discuss some of the biggest NBA rivalries and determine what makes them so ferocious.

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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics

Few would argue that the rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics is not the biggest rivalry in the NBA. Not only are the Lakers and Celtics the oldest teams in the league, but they are also the most successful. Their feud exploded in the 1980s, with superstars like Larry Bird and Magic Johnson taking the rivalry to a whole new level.

Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls

Separated by fewer than 300 miles, the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls have never seen eye to eye. The Midwest rivals have shared a mutual hatred for decades, but their fiercest battles came during the 1990s. Led by the iconic Michael Jordan, the Bulls clashed with Detroit’s “Bad Boys” on multiple occasions throughout the years.

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New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat

When it comes to discussing the biggest rivalries in the NBA, you simply cannot fail to mention the rivalry between the New York Knicks and Miami Heat. Back in the 1990s, the Eastern Conference powerhouses produced countless memorable contests. Stars like Tim Hardaway, Alonzo Mourning and Patrick Ewing ignited the rivalry and made it what it is today.