Celtics vs Lakers Rivalry rivalry 100 Magic/Bird Finals, 1969 Wilt vs Russell, 2008/2010 Kobe vs KG/Pierce. Countless iconic moments across decades. Magic vs Bird Rivalry rivalry 95 1984 Finals comebacks, Junior Sky Hook in 1987, Bird stealing the inbound pass. NCAA title game is legendary. LeBron vs Warriors player_rivalry 95 The Block, Kyrie shot, 73-9 blowing 3-1 lead, KD joining Warriors, JR Smith blunder; endless iconic moments 4 Allen Iverson vs Tyronn Lue player_rivalry 92 The step-over is one of the 5 most iconic NBA images ever; Game 1 overtime win in LA was legendary 4 Kobe vs Shaq Rivalry rivalry 92 Internal feuding during three-peat, Shaq trade demand, rap disses, media wars, reconciliation. Soap opera quality. 4 Cavs vs Warriors Rivalry rivalry 92 LeBron block, Kyrie Game 7 shot, KD joining Warriors, 73-9 then blowing 3-1 lead. All-time moments. 4 Pacers vs Knicks Rivalry rivalry 92 Reggie Miller 8 points in 9 seconds, choke gesture to Spike Lee, Game 7 battles, Ewing finger roll miss. All-time iconic. 8 Lakers vs Kings team_rivalry 90 Game 6 2002 WCF is most controversial game in NBA history; Webber elbow, Horry shot, Bibby bloody nose 8 Jordan vs Isiah Rivalry rivalry 90 Jordan Rules, walkoff in 1991, Dream Team snub, frozen-out All-Star game. Personal animosity added layers. 10 Wilt vs Russell Rivalry rivalry 88 1969 Finals Game 7, 100-point game year head-to-head matchups, 50-rebound games. Defined early NBA. 10 Reggie Miller vs Knicks player_rivalry 88 8 points in 9 seconds, choking gesture to Spike Lee, Game 5 1994 ECF 25 points in Q4; all-time iconic moments 10 Knicks vs Heat Rivalry rivalry 88 Alonzo Mourning vs Larry Johnson fights, Riley leaving Knicks for Heat, Van Gundy hanging on Alonzos leg. Iconic 90s intensity. 13 Thunder vs Warriors Rivalry rivalry 85 3-1 blown lead in 2016 WCF, KD joining Warriors (the hardest road), Westbrook revenge games. Franchise-altering moments. 13 Lakers vs Spurs Rivalry rivalry 85 Derek Fisher 0.4 second shot in 2004, Horry hip check on Nash, Kobe vs Duncan battles. Multiple iconic moments. 13 Steph vs LeBron Rivalry rivalry 85 LeBron block on Iguodala, Steph behind-the-back passes, KD arrival changing dynamics. Multiple iconic moments. 13 Celtics vs 76ers Rivalry rivalry 85 Bird vs Dr J fight, 1981 ECF, Havlicek stole the ball era, Tatum vs Embiid modern battles. Decades of moments. 13 Heat vs Mavs Rivalry rivalry 85 2006 Wade takeover, 2011 Dirk revenge, LeBron melting down, Dirk playing sick in 2011 Finals. Both Finals are legendary. 13 Bulls vs Pistons Rivalry rivalry 85 Jordan Rules, Pistons walkoff, Pippen migraines, physical battles. Brutal and unforgettable series. 19 Spurs vs Suns Rivalry rivalry 82 Horry hip check on Nash 2007, Stoudemire/Diaw suspensions changing series outcome, SSOL vs defense philosophy clash. Controversial. 19 AI vs Kobe Rivalry rivalry 82 Iverson step-over Lue in 2001 Finals Game 1 is one of the most iconic moments in NBA history. 21 Pistons vs Celtics Rivalry rivalry 80 Bird steal in 1987 ECF, Laimbeer flagrant fouls, Isiah ankle game, physical battles. Defined late 1980s Eastern Conference. 21 Jordan vs Reggie Rivalry rivalry 80 Reggie choking sign, Jordan responding with dominance, 1998 ECF Game 7. Reggie was one of few who could get under Jordans skin. 23 Kareem vs Dr J Rivalry rivalry 78 1980 Finals rookie Magic game, Kareem skyhook dominance, Dr J acrobatic finishes. ABA merger added context. 23 Rockets vs Warriors Rivalry rivalry 78 27 consecutive missed threes in 2018 Game 7, CP3 hamstring injury, DAnthoni small ball vs Warriors. Heartbreaking near-miss. 23 Blazers vs Lakers Rivalry rivalry 78 2000 WCF Game 7 4th quarter Blazers collapse is one of the greatest collapses in NBA history. Drexler vs Magic era also memorable. 23 Ewing vs Olajuwon Rivalry rivalry 78 1984 NCAA Championship Game, 1994 Finals Game 7, center battles throughout the 90s. College-to-pro narrative was compelling. 27 Malone vs Rodman Rivalry rivalry 75 Rodman kicking cameraman, Malone elbow battles, head games, 1998 Finals physicality. Classic enforcer vs star dynamic. 27 Jordan vs LeBron player_rivalry 75 Memorable debate moments rather than game moments. LeBron hitting milestones, Jordan interviews dismissing comparisons. 27 Heat vs Celtics Rivalry rivalry 75 LeBron Game 6 2012 elimination game, Butler 2023 ECF heroics, Big 3 battles. Multiple iconic playoff moments. 30 Dirk vs Duncan Rivalry rivalry 72 2006 Mavs upsetting Spurs, Dirk 2011 revenge tour, multiple playoff series. Contrast in styles was compelling. 30 Jazz vs Rockets Rivalry rivalry 72 Stockton buzzer-beater to go to 1997 Finals, Hakeem vs Malone battles, physical Western Conference wars. 30 Suns vs Lakers Rivalry rivalry 72 2006 first round upset, 2010 WCF Kobe dominance, 2021 first round AD injury. Pacific Division battles across eras. 30 Pierce vs LeBron Rivalry rivalry 72 LeBron 2012 Game 6 elimination masterpiece, Pierce wheelchair Game 1 2008, LeBron quitting in 2010. Dramatic moments. 34 LeBron vs Durant Rivalry rivalry 70 2012 Finals duel, KD joining Warriors to beat LeBron, 2017-18 Finals battles. Fewer iconic moments than other rivalries. 35 Embiid vs Jokic Rivalry rivalry 68 MVP acceptance speeches referencing each other. Regular season matchups heavily hyped. Center renaissance narrative. 35 Nuggets vs Lakers Rivalry rivalry 68 2020 Murray bubble heroics, 2023 Jokic sweeping LeBron, 2009 Melo vs Kobe. Multiple dramatic WCF matchups. 37 Russ vs Beverley Rivalry rivalry 65 2013 knee injury that started it all, trash talk exchanges, Westbrooks rock the baby celebration. Personal hatred was genuine. 38 Bucks vs Raptors Rivalry rivalry 62 Kawhi dagger threes in 2019 ECF. Wall of Giannis narrative. Both franchises first extended playoff success. 38 KG vs Duncan Rivalry rivalry 62 Trash talk battles, KGs intensity vs Duncans stoicism. Contrasting personalities made matchups compelling. 38 Wade vs Kobe Rivalry rivalry 62 All-Star game battles, who is the best SG debate, both winning championships. Mutual respect dynamic. 38 Stockton vs Payton Rivalry rivalry 62 Payton trash talk vs Stockton silence. Defensive battles. Contrasting personalities made matchups compelling. 42 Barkley vs Oakley Rivalry rivalry 60 Known for on-court fights and physical play. Part of the rugged 90s NBA identity. 43 Giannis vs Harden Rivalry rivalry 58 Giannis no skill comments about Harden, MVP acceptance speeches, style debate (physicality vs craftiness). Social media beef. 44 Doncic vs Trae Rivalry rivalry 55 Draft night trade, who won the trade debates, both making All-Star games. Regular season matchups are appointment viewing. 44 Shaq vs Ewing Rivalry rivalry 55 Young Shaq battles with veteran Ewing. Center dominance shifting from one generation to the next. Physical post battles. 44 Kidd vs Nash Rivalry rivalry 55 Dallas teammates early in careers, divergent paths. Both reached Finals with different teams. Contrasting styles were compelling. 47 Clippers vs Warriors Rivalry rivalry 52 2019 comeback from 3-1 by Warriors. Lob City vs early Splash Bros regular season battles were entertaining. 48 Nets vs Raptors Rivalry rivalry 48 Pierce guarantee and then delivering. Game 7 drama. Paul Pierce villain era in Toronto. 49 CP3 vs Deron Rivalry rivalry 45 The best PG in the league debate was genuine for several years. Jerry Sloan traded drama added intrigue.