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The NBA has had some fierce rivalries in the past. In an organization where over 30 teams compete every year to prove they're the best, rivalries are bound to exist.
Rivalries can be traced back to the genesis of the NBA. From the age-old Lakers and Celtics rivalry to the modern-day Warriors and Cavaliers finals matchups, every NBA season is laced and driven by the sparks that motivate teams to win.
With the 2021-2022 season inching closer and bad blood from the previous season spilling over, we take a look at the top five team rivalries to look out for.
#1 Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks
With the Milwaukee Bucks walking away from the 2020-2021 season as NBA champions, we take a look at their Conference Finals matchup against the Brooklyn Nets.
While the Bucks won in seven games, it was a grueling win. With Kyrie Irving missing the series after an injury in the fourth game, the Nets turned to their superstar, Kevin Durant to carry the team alongside James Harden.
Durant played like a man possessed, dropping 49 points and nine rebounds in game seven. Having a small part of his toe on the three point line causing a basket to be counted as a two pointer, the game went into overtime. Giannis fought Durant to a standstill, scoring 40 points and grabbing 13 rebounds of his own.
The Bucks clinched the win and would go onto the Finals. However, Giannis and the Bucks will have to face a fully healthy Nets team once the season begins again.
With the game between Brooklyn and Milwaukee scheduled for the NBA's opening night, this is not a matchup that should be missed.
#2 LA Lakers vs Golden State Warriors
With the biggest names in the NBA going head to head against each other, the rivalry between LeBron James and Stephen Curry continues this 2021-2022 season.
In the 2020-2021 NBA season, the Lakers faced the Warriors in the play-in games to secure a playoff berth. Having beaten the Warriors off of a clutch three-pointer by LeBron, the Lakers secured the seventh seed in the NBA playoffs. The Warriors would then go on to play Memphis for the eighth spot where they would eventally come up short.
With the return of Klay Thompson to their side and a healthy Warriors squad, the rivalry from LeBron's time facing them as a Cavalier carries over. The new-look Lakers face off against the Warriors on the NBA's opening night alongside the Brooklyn vs Milwaukee game.
#3 Brooklyn Nets vs LA Lakers
In what looks like a superteam matchup, the Nets vs Lakers matchup sees a lot of former teammates going head to head against one another.
The LA Lakers acquired Russell Westbrook in a trade from the Washington Wizards. In doing so, the Lakers vs Nets match looks like a reunion for teammates. LeBron James faces Kyrie Irving, a former championship teammate in Cleveland. Westbrook faces off against Kevin Durant and James Harden.
Both franchises have a score to settle having split the season record. With all the makings of a rivalry, the intensity that Westbrook brings to every game is bound to create some heated competition between the star-studded franchises.
With both teams having the best odds to win the NBA title in the 2021-2022 season, the Christmas Day matchup will be an exciting show for all basketball fans.
#4 Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks
The Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks have the potential to be among the more recent but intense rivalries in the NBA.
Coming off of a deep run in the playoffs, the Hawks went through some tough series against New York and Philadelphia. However, it was in New York where Trae Young and his antics caught the attention of the fans at Madison Square Garden.
Putting up a game-winner at the buzzer, Trae Young silenced New York's fans. The trash talk continued from both sides as Young's personality and game took the Knicks head on. The Hawks would emerge victorious in five games and go on to play Philadelphia.
There is no doubt that Knicks fans are going to remember Young and the Hawks for the way they beat them. With the Knicks bolstering their lineup with Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, New York hopes to return the favor to Atlanta.
In an NBA Christmas Day matchup that promises to deliver, the Hawks face the Knicks at Madison Square Garden once again.
#5 Dallas Mavericks vs LA Clippers
The Dallas Mavericks and the LA Clippers are also a more recent rivalry in the NBA. Originating in the NBA Bubble, the first round matchup saw the LA Clippers face off against the Dallas Mavericks.
With the Clippers leading the series 2-1 going into game four, Luka Doncic produced a moment of magic in the final seconds. Scoring a game-winning, buzzer-beater, Doncic tied the series and gave the Mavericks a genuine shot at winning the series.
As the series progressed, an injury sidelined Doncic and led to the Clippers to a series win in six games.
In the 2020-2021 season, Luka and the Mavericks would have their shot at beating the Clippers in the playoffs again.
Luka put on an offensive onslaught as he averaged 35.7 points, 10.3 assists and 7.9 rebounds in the series. Even after taking a commanding lead by winning the first two games at Staples Center, Dallas lost to LA in seven games.
With two failed attempts at redemption and growing agony for Doncic's record against the Clippers, the matchups between these two teams prove to be an exciting watch for any NBA fan.
Guess the Lakers players!
