The NBA Rivalry Week 2025 season promises 15 nationally televised games featuring the league’s most intense matchups, both classic and newly formed. From historic franchise feuds to personal player vendettas, this special NBA Rivalry Week 2025 of programming will showcase basketball at its most competitive and emotionally charged.
In this exclusive 2,400-word preview, we break down:
✅ The 5 must-watch rivalry games of the week
✅ Underlying tensions fueling these matchups
✅ How new roster moves have intensified hostilities
✅ Players with personal stakes in these games
✅ Historical context that makes these games special
For live coverage and behind-the-scenes NBA Rivalry Week 2025 content, visit NBA NewsZ, your home for unfiltered NBA drama.
The Marquee Matchups: 5 Games That Will Shake the League
1. Lakers vs. Celtics: The Legacy NBA Rivalry Week 2025(Jan. 13)
Why It Matters:
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135th regular season meeting
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LeBron chasing 40,000 points against historic foe
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Jayson Tatum’s chance to cement Celtics superiority
New Fuel:
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Lakers passed on Tatum in 2017 draft
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Celtics eliminated Lakers in 2024 Finals
Key Matchup: Anthony Davis vs. Kristaps Porziņģis
Stat to Watch: Celtics have won 7 of last 10 regular season meetings
2. Warriors vs. Grizzlies: The New Blood Feud (Jan. 15)
Bad Blood Timeline:
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2022 playoff war of words
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Draymond’s “I don’t duck the smoke” rant
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Ja Morant’s “We’re fine in the West” comment
2025 Twist:
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Warriors added Karl-Anthony Towns
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Grizzlies healthy after lost season
X-Factor: Jonathan Kuminga vs. Jaren Jackson Jr.
Vegas Line: Grizzlies -1.5 | Total: 232.5
3. Heat vs. 76ers: The Process Bowl (Jan. 16)
Personal Stakes:
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Joel Embiid vs. Bam Adebayo (DPOY rivals)
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Pat Riley vs. Daryl Morey (front office chess)
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Jimmy Butler facing former team
New Intensity:
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76ers stole Zion from Heat’s trade plans
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Heat eliminated 76ers in 2024 playoffs
Injury Watch: Zion Williamson’s availability
More at NBA NewsZ.
Underrated Rivalries With Hidden Fire
4. Thunder vs. Spurs: The Future Kings (Jan. 14)
Why Watch:
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Wembanyama vs. Holmgren (7’4″ vs. 7’1″)
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Two youngest cores in NBA
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2024 draft lottery controversy
Statistical Duel:
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Wemby: 3.9 BPG
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Chet: 2.7 BPG
Prediction: Highest blocks total of season
5. Knicks vs. Nets: The Battle of New York (Jan. 17)
City Supremacy:
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Knicks won season series 3-1 last year
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Nets’ Mikal Bridges called MSG “just another arena”
Added Spice:
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Jalen Brunson’s All-Star snub revenge
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Ben Simmons’ resurgence
Fan Factor: 70/30 Knicks crowd expected at Barclays
Players With Personal Vendettas
Donovan Mitchell vs. Cavaliers (Jan. 18)
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First game back in Cleveland since trade
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Reportedly felt “betrayed” by front office
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Averaged 41.3 PPG in last 3 vs Cavs
Dejounte Murray vs. Hawks (Jan. 15)
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Felt “scapegoated” for Atlanta’s struggles
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Hawks chose Trae over him
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28/7/5 stat line in first meeting
Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Timberwolves (Jan. 19)
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Emotional return to Minnesota
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Will face Rudy Gobert he clashed with
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Wolves fans planning mixed reception
Historical Context of NBA’s Best Rivalries
Lakers-Celtics By The Numbers
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12 Finals meetings (most ever)
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Celtics lead all-time series 166-156
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33 Hall of Famers between franchises
Warriors-Grizzlies Modern History
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4 playoff meetings since 2015
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7 technical fouls per game average
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3 suspensions from altercations
Heat-Knicks 90s Redux
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Physical playoff battles
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Pat Riley’s franchise jump
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Current teams mirror that intensity
Deeper history at NBA NewsZ.
How New Rules Intensify Rivalries
1. “No Bullshit” Technical Policy
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Quicker Ts for arguing
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Stiffer penalties for altercations
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5+ techs = automatic suspension
2. Playoff Seeding Implications
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New tiebreaker: Head-to-head record
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Division winners guaranteed top-6
3. In-Season Tournament Carryover
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Some matchups are tournament rematches
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$500K per player on the line last time
X-Factors Who Could Ignite Tempers
1. Draymond Green (Warriors)
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History with Brooks, Morant
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Leads active players in techs (164)
2. Dillon Brooks (Rockets)
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NBA’s villain since Memphis
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Already 5 techs this season
3. Patrick Beverley (Bucks)
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Gets under stars’ skin
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Facing former team Chicago
How to Watch NBA Rivalry Week 2025
National TV Schedule
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ESPN: 5 games
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TNT: 6 games
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NBA TV: 4 games
Streaming Options
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NBA League Pass
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Sling Orange/Blue
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YouTube TV
International Broadcasts
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Canada: Sportsnet
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UK: Sky Sports
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Australia: ESPN
Predictions & Best Bets
Lakers vs. Celtics
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Pick: Celtics -3.5
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Why: Better depth, home court
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Prop: Tatum 35+ PTS (+120)
Warriors vs. Grizzlies
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Pick: Over 232.5
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Why: No defensive stoppers
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Prop: Morant 2+ dunks (+150)
Heat vs. 76ers
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Pick: Heat ML (+115)
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Why: Spoelstra owns Nurse
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Prop: Bam 15+ REB (+200)
Live odds at NBA NewsZ.
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