Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Rivalries: Clippers-Warriors and the Top 10 Most Heated Feuds Today

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 25, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Nene (42) scuffles with Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Nene received two technical fouls and was ejected. The Bulls won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Nene (42) scuffles with Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Nene received two technical fouls and was ejected. The Bulls won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 12
Next
May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) drives against Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) during the first half in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) drives against Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) during the first half in game six of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

#. 100. Final. 6. 110

The Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat have developed one of the best rivalries in basketball over the past three seasons. They’ve played in three consecutive postseasons, with the Pacers closing the gap almost every time.

Unfortunately, two major setbacks have occurred to damage this rivalry: the top two players on either team are gone in some way, shape or form.

For the Heat, LeBron James headed back home and signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. For the Pacers, Paul George suffered a leg injury at a Team USA scrimmage and is not expected to return until late in the season, if at all in 2014-15.

The good news for Indiana is that Roy Hibbert and David West will be forced to become bigger focuses within the offense. This could potentially lead to Hibbert re-emerging as an offensive force—something he was against Miami in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals.

For Miami, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade return with the addition of Luol Deng. Deng is just as familiar with Indiana as the Heat are, having played in the same division for the first 10 seasons of his career.

A pair of stars may be out of the picture, but don’t expect these games to be any less intense.