The Biggest Rivalries to Watch Through the Balance of the NBA Season

Editor’s Note: The following is a guest submission from Nir Zilberman, founder of TixSearcher.com.

The 2013-14 NBA season is already being played but this does not mean everything started with a clean slate, as old grudges are not forgotten. You can expect some great games and intense rivalries. So, let’s take a look at the games not to be missed:

5. Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers

You may think this rivalry is not that great nor intense but after the two teams met in the Playoffs the past two years, there is no big love here and what you want to look for is the battle in the paint area between Zach Randolph and Blake Griffin. The two have wrestled several times battling each other in the paint and there is no easy basket when it comes to these two great players. If that’s not enough, Randolph had some choice words for Griffin and the entire Clippers bench last season right after he was ejected when the two teams met in May so you can be sure this season when the Grizzlies and the Clippers meet again there will be not only words flying over but some hard fouls and punches because this is a rivalry to expect.

4. Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets

There is a lot of respect from Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett towards Lebron James but that’s where it stops as these players are not really fond of each other. We all remember hatred of Garnett and Pierce towards Miami when they played in the Celtics and now when they are in Brooklyn I guess nothing’s changed but the city and the team they represent. This season, the two players will like to show James, Wade and the Heat they are not to be underestimated but the Heat will gladly show Brooklyn that no matter how much money they spend they are still underdogs when it comes to playing against the 2 times in a row champs.

3. Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat

If there are two teams that really hate each other it’s the Bulls and the Heat. We all remember the flagrant fouls and ejections when these two met during the Playoffs of 2012-13 season and I guess old habits die hard so when the Heat and the Bulls meet each other again this season, expect a tough game and harsh fouls which are not only purely basketball but emotional no doubt. I guess the biggest loss in this rivalry is the absence of Derrick Rose but even without him a clam game it will not be, take my word for it.

2. New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets

For many years there was only one dominant team in New York City and that was the Knicks but now when the Nets play in Brooklyn in their new and amazing complex and a team built around several great All-Stars, Brooklyn are here to show the Knicks their time of reign is over. It’s a bit funny to say it when we look at the poor record of both teams this season to date, but when they meet they will not care about the team’s record but to win the game and be the top team of New York. Expect great fights in the paint between Lopez and Garnett to Chandler and Stoudemire and of-course Anthony and everyone who will guard him because one Brooklyn player will not be enough. So, who’s the #1 team in New York City? Wait and find out when the two meet on court.

1. Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

This has to be our #1 rivalry for the 2013-14 NBA season. Last season the Pacers almost eliminated the Heat during the Eastern Conference finals as the teams played 7 games which were hard-fought and very physical. Indiana feels ever since that they have missed a real chance to reach the NBA Finals and started this season with a great momentum and an amazing record losing only 2 games to date, they are very much determined to go all the way this season with the same base of players but even more experienced. The Heat on the other had are proud champions and will do whatever it takes to win another title this season for a three-peat, so expect great games when these two meet on court as the Heat will like to show the Pacers it was no luck that they got past them last season, while the Pacers are determined to show the Heat that this year they will do anything so last year’s result won’t be the same.

Author’s Bio

Nir Zilberman is the co-founder of TixSearcher.com website, a worldwide ticket search engine that gathers ticket information from multiple ticket sellers and makes it possible to search for sports events worldwide and compare ticket prices so you’ll find the best deals to your favorite sports events and not miss any of these great NBA games and rivalries.

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