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

Lakers vs. Spurs

The Western Conference standard of the 2000s, Shaq and Kobe against Duncan's Spurs.

1000pts

2

Heat vs. Celtics

The recurring 2010s and 2020s Eastern Conference rivalry decided in tense playoff series.

856pts

3

Clippers vs. Lakers

The Battle of Los Angeles, a citywide rivalry that intensified in the Lob City and Kawhi eras.

799pts

4

Bulls vs. Pistons

The brutal late-'80s clashes between Jordan's Bulls and the Bad Boys Pistons.

717pts

5

Celtics vs. 76ers

The classic Bird-versus-Erving Eastern Conference wars of the early 1980s.

666pts

6

Lakers vs. Celtics

The defining NBA rivalry, with 12 Finals meetings across the Russell, Magic-Bird and Kobe-Pierce eras.

605pts

7

Warriors vs. Cavaliers

The defining rivalry of the 2010s, with four straight Finals between LeBron and the Curry-Durant Warriors.

533pts

8

Bulls vs. Knicks

The physical '90s Eastern Conference battles between Jordan and Ewing's Knicks.

532pts

9

Pistons vs. Pacers

The early-2000s grudge match infamous for the 2004 Malice at the Palace brawl.

532pts

10

Knicks vs. Pacers

The bitter mid-'90s feud fueled by Reggie Miller's clashes with Spike Lee and New York.

532pts

11

Heat vs. Pacers

The hard-fought 2010s Eastern Conference battles between LeBron's Heat and the Pacers.

532pts

12

Suns vs. Spurs

The contrasting-styles 2000s rivalry between the run-and-gun Suns and methodical Spurs.

532pts

13

Rockets vs. Jazz

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

444pts