The 10 greatest rivalries in NBA history

#3 76ers- Celtics

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The 76ers-Celtics rivalry almost seems to have been forgotten by people nowadays. One which goes back to the 60s, the Celtics and the Sixers have faced off in the playoffs more often than any other duo.

Whether it was Wilt Chamberlain against Bill Russell or Larry Bird vs Julius Erving, Boston and Philadelphia have faced off in some of the most epic encounters in league history. After years of losing to the Celtics (just like everyone else back then), the Sixers in 1967 finally broke through, demolishing the 8-time defending champs in 5 games. It would be the only time Wilt beat Russell in the playoffs as the Celtics won the next 2 encounters en route to 11 titles in 13 years.

The rivalry died down for a while after that but was ignited once Erving and Bird came into the mix and boy did it get feisty. Whether it was an all-out brawl in a meaningless exhibition or Erving punching Bird in 1984, it was never short on drama. They competed for supremacy in the East once again and faced off 4 times in the East Finals from 1980-85. Both teams faded away in the following years but there is hope of a revival with the current versions of the teams having very bright futures.