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