NBA · 10 months ago

Ranking the NBA’s Top 10 Rivalries: Celtics vs Lakers Trump All

John Canady

Host · Writer

10) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors may be among the newest rivalries in league history. Still, the epic showdowns between LeBron James and Stephen Curry make the list. Between 2015 and 2018, Golden State and Cleveland met in the NBA Finals in four consecutive seasons. Although James was the primary reason for the Cavs' success, the iconic moments and games during this rivalry must be included in this list.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1) Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Boston Celtics rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers is by far the most iconic in NBA history. Dating back to the showdowns between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, to Paul Pierce and Boston's Big Three against Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles, the bad blood between the two franchises has carried on for decades. Any player that suits up for these historic organizations understands the importance behind the rivalry and understands that even regular season games carry weight with bragging rights on the line. Between the Celtics 18 NBA Championships and the Lakers 17 NBA Championships, this rivalry won't end soon.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.
2) Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Boston Celtics slot in at No. 2, but this time, their rivalry with the Philadelphia 76ers gets the focus. Boston and Philly have gone back and forth for decades, and the rivalry remains strong even today. Not only did Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain's battles take place between the Lakers and the Celtics, but the two legends had multiple showdowns while Chamberlain was with the 76ers. In addition, Larry Bird and Julius "Dr. J" Erving kept the rivalry intense during their battles. The rivalry lives on as Philadelphia and Joel Embiid continue to chase the Celtics.
3) Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls
The Detroit Pistons rivalry with the Chicago Bulls slots in at No. 3. Looking back at the battles between Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas, the duels that the Pistons and Bulls had were arguably some of the best basketball games ever played. Considering the physicality of the battles, mixed with the infamous playoff series that contributed to what many know now as the "Jordan Rules." Although neither team has been considered a contender in recent years, it doesn't take away from how competitive any matchup is between each squad.
4) Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks
The Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks rivalry is another display of top-notch basketball that will forever be remembered in NBA history. The showdowns between Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing from the late 1980s through the mid-1990s never failed to meet the hype entering these matchups. Although the Bulls' dominance during this period may have made the rivalry look one-sided at times, the physical play each time these two teams stacked up against one another was unmatched.
5) Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks
The Indiana Pacers' rivalry with the New York Knicks was defined by the constant battles in the postseason during the 1990s. Reggie Miller put on many offensive shooting clinics for Indiana, while the Knicks managed to make things interesting more than just a time or two. Between the competitiveness in the rivalry mixed with the unforgettable moments, the Knicks and Pacers battles will forever be remembered as a top rivalry in the NBA.
6) San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Lakers were responsible for many of the top battles in the NBA during the early 2000s, lasting nearly a decade and a half. The Lakers dynasty of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal was ultimately ended by the Tim Duncan-led Spurs and Gregg Popovich. However, Los Angeles bounced back with the addition of Pau Gasol to pair alongside Bryant, which led to numerous battles atop the Western Conference.
7) Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat rivalry began when LeBron James joined the Miami Heat in 2010. Before that, the Celtics group coached by Doc Rivers was the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. However, when James formed a big three alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the momentum shifted in the Heat's favor, which led to a rebuild for the Celtics. With Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown leading the way, the rivalry between Boston and Miami has picked up again, with four of the last five Eastern Conference Championships being won by one of these two squads.
8) Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons
The Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons accounted for some of the best rivalry games in league history. Starting with Larry Bird and the C's against the Bad Boy Pistons during one of the most iconic moments in Detroit history, the bad blood between the two squads was everything the sport needed. Even today, when the Celtics and Pistons match up, you can sense no love is lost between the two franchises.
9) Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks
The Miami Heat and New York Knicks may have had one of the more underrated rivalries in NBA history. Following Pat Riley's hiring in Miami, his team(s) made it a point of emphasis to serve their coach right against his former squad, the Knicks. After the move in the late 1990s, the two squads accounted for many memorable battles and continue to put together physical and impressive performances each time they match up.
10) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors may be among the newest rivalries in league history. Still, the epic showdowns between LeBron James and Stephen Curry make the list. Between 2015 and 2018, Golden State and Cleveland met in the NBA Finals in four consecutive seasons. Although James was the primary reason for the Cavs' success, the iconic moments and games during this rivalry must be included in this list.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1) Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Boston Celtics rivalry with the Los Angeles Lakers is by far the most iconic in NBA history. Dating back to the showdowns between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, to Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, to Paul Pierce and Boston's Big Three against Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles, the bad blood between the two franchises has carried on for decades. Any player that suits up for these historic organizations understands the importance behind the rivalry and understands that even regular season games carry weight with bragging rights on the line. Between the Celtics 18 NBA Championships and the Lakers 17 NBA Championships, this rivalry won't end soon.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

Ranking the NBA’s Top 10 Rivalries: Celtics vs Lakers Trump All

Sports Betting

Sportsbook Promos

Social Casinos