The 13 Greatest NBA Rivalries of All Time

Bloody playoff wars, coast-to-coast grudge matches and dynasty-defining showdowns, some legendary and some criminally underrated. Cast your vote!

1. 1
   Lakers vs. Spurs

   The Western Conference standard of the 2000s, Shaq and Kobe against Duncan's Spurs.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Heat vs. Celtics

   The recurring 2010s and 2020s Eastern Conference rivalry decided in tense playoff series.
   786pts
3. 3
   Clippers vs. Lakers

   The Battle of Los Angeles, a citywide rivalry that intensified in the Lob City and Kawhi eras.
   700pts
4. 4
   Bulls vs. Pistons

   The brutal late-'80s clashes between Jordan's Bulls and the Bad Boys Pistons.
   576pts
5. 5
   Celtics vs. 76ers

   The classic Bird-versus-Erving Eastern Conference wars of the early 1980s.
   500pts
6. 6
   Lakers vs. Celtics

   The defining NBA rivalry, with 12 Finals meetings across the Russell, Magic-Bird and Kobe-Pierce eras.
   409pts
7. 7
   Warriors vs. Cavaliers

   The defining rivalry of the 2010s, with four straight Finals between LeBron and the Curry-Durant Warriors.
   300pts
8. 8
   Bulls vs. Knicks

   The physical '90s Eastern Conference battles between Jordan and Ewing's Knicks.
   300pts
9. 9
   Pistons vs. Pacers

   The early-2000s grudge match infamous for the 2004 Malice at the Palace brawl.
   300pts
10. 10
    Knicks vs. Pacers

    The bitter mid-'90s feud fueled by Reggie Miller's clashes with Spike Lee and New York.
    300pts
11. 11
    Heat vs. Pacers

    The hard-fought 2010s Eastern Conference battles between LeBron's Heat and the Pacers.
    300pts
12. 12
    Suns vs. Spurs

    The contrasting-styles 2000s rivalry between the run-and-gun Suns and methodical Spurs.
    300pts
13. 13
    Rockets vs. Jazz

    The '90s Western showdowns pitting Hakeem Olajuwon against Stockton and Malone.
    0pts

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