Ranking the NBA’s Rivalry Week’s 10 Games By Our Hate-Meter
John Canady
Host · Writer
10) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks
The rivalry between the Mavericks and Timberwolves is another more recent rivalry to spark up. Talents like Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic want to prove they're the top talents in the league and that their squads are the best in the Western Conference, so it's common for bad blood to form naturally. Not to mention the teams' playoff series last season in which Edwards and Irving took the matchup personally after the Timberwolves star publicly took on the challenge to shut down Irving. With both teams looking to make a statement, expect a dogfight as the rivalry continues.
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1) Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
There's no denying that the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers is the prime example of what bad blood in sports looks like. These two historic franchises have battled and kept the heated rivalry healthy for decades. Whether it's the players representing each team or the loyal fanbases behind them, there's no love lost on either side. Every time these teams match up, the energy and physicality are unmatched as both squads put forth their best efforts, looking to represent the rich history behind the jerseys they wear.
2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors
The Lakers' and Golden State Warriors' rivalry has always been an underrated battle between these two West Coast teams. However, with the Lakers adding LeBron James in 2018, the rivalry seemed to grow deeper, considering the history between James and the Warriors dynasty led by Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. As each squad carries pride into these battles, you can always bet on a dogfight when these teams face off.
3) Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Miami Heat and the Milwaukee Bucks rivalry has heated up over the last few years as these two squads have battled atop the Eastern Conference. Miami's Jimmy Butler may be responsible for the increasing bad blood between these two teams. The Heat, led by Butler, have ended the Bucks' season in the playoffs on multiple occasions. While Butler's future in Miami is uncertain, there's no doubt that whether the star forward is on the court or not, the beef between these two squads is deeper than just one player.
4) Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves
The Denver Nuggets' rivalry with the Minnesota Timberwolves has quickly gained steam, especially recently. In one of the more physical playoff series, Minnesota knocked out the Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals last year. Despite the Timberwolves jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, Denver fought back and took the series to a Game 7 in which the physicality intensified. Now, with no love lost between the two divisional rivals, every battle between these two teams is a must-watch game.
5) New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets
The rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets always seemed overlooked. However, the rivalry quickly gained traction when the Nets moved to Brooklyn from New Jersey in 2012. Despite the Nets amid a rebuild and the Knicks looking like a true contender, that all goes out the window when these two squads match up to represent their respective cities.
6) Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings
The in-state rivalry between the Warriors and Sacramento Kings is yet another historic rivalry that has seen no love lost between the two franchises. Furthermore, the playoff series between the Kings and Warriors in 2023 intensified the bad blood and elevated every matchup into a next-level physical battle. On Wednesday, the Northern California teams will square off again in another highly anticipated game during rivalry week.
7) New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The New Orleans Pelicans rivalry with the Memphis Grizzlies may be one of the more underrated rivalries in the league, especially with the talent on the roster for each squad. Both teams have been working to put together the firepower to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals at some point, but neither has managed to do it. Nonetheless, despite who's on the court for either team, the two Southeastern squads have put together competitive battles nearly every time they face off. With young talent on both sides, this rivalry shows no signs of slowing down soon.
8) Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks
While many people may not see this battle between the Celtics and Dallas Mavericks as a true rivalry, over the last couple of years, the history between these two teams speaks for itself. First and foremost, the two teams met in the NBA Finals less than a year ago in a series that the Celtics mostly dominated. In addition to that, the bad blood between Kyrie Irving and the Celtics fanbase is unmatched. Not to mention the constant conversation comparing Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic over the years. Every time these two teams go head-to-head, they put together a highly competitive game, which seems likely for their upcoming matchup.
9) Philadelphia 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets
The rivalry between the Nuggets and the Philadelphia 76ers is more so centered around the big-man battle between Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. Every time the two teams face off, one of Embiid or Jokic typically misses the showdown. However, this time around, the two former MVP winners seem poised to finally battle it out to prove who's the top center in the league.
10) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks
The rivalry between the Mavericks and Timberwolves is another more recent rivalry to spark up. Talents like Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic want to prove they're the top talents in the league and that their squads are the best in the Western Conference, so it's common for bad blood to form naturally. Not to mention the teams' playoff series last season in which Edwards and Irving took the matchup personally after the Timberwolves star publicly took on the challenge to shut down Irving. With both teams looking to make a statement, expect a dogfight as the rivalry continues.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1) Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
There's no denying that the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers is the prime example of what bad blood in sports looks like. These two historic franchises have battled and kept the heated rivalry healthy for decades. Whether it's the players representing each team or the loyal fanbases behind them, there's no love lost on either side. Every time these teams match up, the energy and physicality are unmatched as both squads put forth their best efforts, looking to represent the rich history behind the jerseys they wear.
