Greatest NBA Rivalries of All Time

These Rivalries Had Heated Battles and Epic Games That Cemented Their Place in NBA History.

Bad Blood

NBA rivalries abound throughout the 30-team league. There isn’t a game day that goes by without at least one pairing of “mortal enemies.” Though the names on the back of the jerseys change with regularity (courtesy of free agency and trades), some disdain lingers.

In the interest of full disclosure, before this story continues, much has been made of the “friendliness” that permeates throughout the league. Players and their chumminess toward the opponent, along with players recruiting others to join certain teams have led fans and other observers to question the level of competition.

We won’t dismiss that narrative, but neither can we dismiss there remains a fair amount of hatred throughout the association. Look no further than the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, the two franchises who’ve won more titles (Boston 18, Minneapolis/LA 17) than any other team. Say no more than Larry Bird against Magic Johnson

Boston has other rivals (New York Knickerbockers, Philadelphia 76ers), while Los Angeles has its former co-tenant Los Angeles Clippers as well as its California rivals to the north (specifically the Golden State Warriors).

There’s no love between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons, though neither would remotely be considered a championship contender in 2025.

There’s a history when it comes to those Knicks against the Miami Heat as well.  

This doesn’t mean that the betting odds are all about the rivalries, but these games are certainly more anticipated than others throughout the season

This bad blood only gets “badder” should teams of disdain renew acquaintances in the playoffs.

Who Is the Biggest Rivalry in the NBA?

It’s not a fair fight. NBA news bears out that the biggest rivalry across the National Basketball Association is the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.

That is with good reason, as was mentioned there are a league-best 35 titles between Boston (18) and the Minneapolis/Los Angeles franchise (17, 12 in LA). The two teams are contending virtually each season, and 2024-25 is no exception. The Finals have seen them meet on a dozen occasions (Boston winning nine times)

Since there’s one team in the Eastern Conference and the other is out West, just two meetings during the regular season. Thus, those games are circled as soon as the schedule is released. 

What Is the Oldest Rivalry in the NBA?

It’s no surprise that among NBA rivalries, it’s the Celtics and Lakers as the oldest as well. Dating back to 1948 and through their first meeting of the 2024-25 season, the teams have met 375 times (including the postseason). Boston is leading the series, 209-166 (another game to go in 2025). This includes a 43-31 Celtic advantage in the playoffs.

Between the Celtics and Lakers, they have combined to win 45 percent of the league’s 78 titles. Whether that means one is going to be the next NBA championship winner remains to be seen, at least going into the last month-and-a-half of the 2024-25 season and this writing. 

Does BetUS Have Odds for the NBA Championship? 

NBA picks and predictions include a variety of options, especially when it comes to the biggest prize out there, the Larry O’Brien Trophy. As of this writing, just after the All-Star break, a pair of teams have the bulk of the support among the bettors.

It’s the defending champion Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder priced at +210 and +215, respectively. Sitting as third choice are the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7-1 (+700). Every other team is at least in double figures on the board.

Note the odds to win the title are fluid, even after the NBA trade deadline earlier in the season.

Any Final Thoughts?

There’s never really a downtime when it comes to NBA rumors, especially when it comes to the postseason. There are 16 teams (eight in each conference) who earn berths in the playoffs.