NBA Predictions: Ranking the 10 Biggest NBA Rivalries of the Next 5 Years

As this NBA offseason has been witness to dozens upon dozens of roster changes, more teams are proving themselves as serious title contenders.

As any great rivalry starts, the teams constantly fighting for the top spot assume a mutual hatred for one another. The Lakers and Celtics have been the longest-standing NBA rivalry mainly due to the number of times they have met in the finals. 

With new teams like the Heat and Thunder gaining significant respect, new rivalries are forming in the NBA. 

10. Bulls vs. Knicks

While the Bulls took the upper hand in this rivalry during the 90s as Jordan ran the show, it is now the Knicks' time to take revenge.

With D-Rose still facing injury troubles, the Knicks will take the opportunity to try and push themselves ahead in the standings. This position battle will reignite the hatred between the two teams, as Jordan and Ewing had.

The two teams met in April. Carmelo had an insane game, hitting two memorable shots, one to send the game into overtime and one to win it in overtime.

After the Knick's early exit from the playoffs, many people believe the Knicks could have possibly reached the Easten Conference finals (ECF) had they faced the Bulls instead of the Heat in the first round. 

9. Heat vs. Thunder

This matchup had the potential to explode as the next greatest NBA rivalry, however, the additions the Lakers made will have a significant impact on how this plays out.

The Thunder will still be a title contender for this, and many years to come, but the Lakers will now pose as a constant threat to a repeat of last year's finals matchup. 

8. Knicks vs. Heat

With the Heat still looking like the favorites from the East, the race for the 2 spot will be constantly fought over by the Knicks and the Celtics.

Over the past two years, we have seen some very exciting games between these two teams, including the Celtics' victory when Amar'e's last-second shot was waved off, and of course, the Christmas Day matchup last year that saw the Knicks coming away with the win in the final seconds. 

As the East is shaping up to be a three-team race, the Celtics and the Knicks will be constantly trying to prove that they have what it takes to beat the Heat. Each matchup will be a huge test, which will allow for an immense amount of excitement.

7. Mavericks vs. Spurs

In an intrastate rivalry, both of these teams will look to prove who runs Texas.

After winning the finals, the Mavs dropped to barley making the playoffs. The Spurs are getting old, but they still have a few young faces that show hope for the next few years.

These teams combine for six finals appearances in the last 13 years. It's clear that they will be constantly atop the standings, thus adding to the rivalry.  

6. Knicks vs. Celtics

This rivalry was at an all-time high in the early part of the 90s when both teams had a significant hatred for each other. Spectators would be treated with flying punches and constant shoving by both teams. They hated each other.

However, both teams dwindled down and lost their talent, slowly the rivalry dissipated. But, the Heat went back on the rise in 2006 and haven't looked back. Now that the Knicks have gained some talent, they will look to ignite what used to be a fierce rivalry. 

Last year, the two teams met in the playoffs, but the Heat made the Knicks look like a high school team. With new additions to the bench, and hopefully far less injuries to the Knicks, they should be able to pose a bigger threat this offseason. 

5. Knicks vs. Nets

In a city that fuels off intrastate rivalries, both New York teams have never really been good at the same time. The Knicks' glory days were during the early 70s and 90s; the Nets' greatest success was during the early part of the new millenium. 

However, with new additions to both teams, basketball is well on the rise in New York. Combined with solid rosters, the fact that the Nets are marching their way into Brooklyn will spark this rivalry.

As the Knicks will try to completely shut the door on any possibilities of the Nets becoming "New York's new team," the Nets will try to pose a serious threat. 

Too make matters more exciting, the Nets unveil their new stadium on opening day against none other than the New York Knicks.

4. Heat vs. Celtics

Going into the Eastern Conference finals, most people thought that the Heat would run away with the series against the aging Celtics. However, a resilient Rajon Rondo led the C's to seven hard-fought games against the eventual champs in what was one of the most intense conference finals of the past few years.

With new additions like Jason Terry and Courtney Lee to help out the big three (which is now Rondo instead of Allen), the Celtics still look to prove to be a tough outing against the star-studded Heat.

As long as Rondo maintains the fire that he has each time the Celtics and the Heat battle, it will be one to mark on everyone's calendar.

3. Lakers vs. Celtics

As the NBA's most iconic rivalry, these two teams will find themselves in close competition yet again.

If the Celtics can find a way to hurtle the Heat, it is not too far-fetched to see these teams back at it again in the finals.

Regardless of weather or not they both make it, their regular-season matchups will have a lot on the line, as a long-standing hatred already exists. 

2. Lakers vs. Thunder

We saw a preview of this last year when the two teams met in the conference semifinals. The Thunder took the series without too much trouble, however, the Lakers added a few new faces with Steve Nash and Dwight Howard.

The new arrivals will undoubtedly propel the Lakers further up the ranks, perhaps even past the young and talented Thunder squad. With the Spurs in, perhaps, their final year of glory before some radical changes, the West will pretty much stand as a two-team race. 

It will be beyond thrilling to watch these powerhouses jaw it out to prove who should be crowned champions of the West.

1. Heat vs. Lakers

With both teams loaded with superstars, a new debate emerges: Who is the best team in the NBA?

Both teams are incredibly talented and are serious threats to the Bulls' mark of 72 wins. However, only one team can come out on top each year, and it would be a shock if either one of these teams doesn't make the finals.

As these teams will probably meet in the finals numerous times, a long-standing rivalry will soon form.