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Boston Celtics: The 25 Most Hated Opponents

By Bill Speros

Basketball: NBA Finals: Boston Celtics Bob Cousy (14) in action, layup vs St. Louis Hawks Bob Pettit (9). Boston, MA 3/30/1957--4/13/1957 CREDIT: Richard Meek (Photo by Richard Meek /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X4483 F18 )
Basketball: NBA Finals: Boston Celtics Bob Cousy (14) in action, layup vs St. Louis Hawks Bob Pettit (9). Boston, MA 3/30/1957--4/13/1957 CREDIT: Richard Meek (Photo by Richard Meek /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X4483 F18 ) /
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19. The Knicks

They are the marquee NBA franchise in New York. The Celtics play in Boston. That is enough for inclusion on this list. The two teams join the Warriors (Philadelphia/Golden State) as being the last three legacy franchises from the Basketball Association of America, which was the forerunner of the NBA. The Celtics and Lakers have been playing against each other for 70 seasons. They have met 15 times in the postseason with the Celtics holding a 36-31 edge.

Their most intense playoff matchup occurred in the 1984 Eastern Conference semifinals. The home team won each game, with the eventual World Champion Celtics prevailing in seven games. On Christmas Day in 1985, the Knicks, led by rookie center Patrick Ewing, would erase a 25-point deficit and beat Boston at Madison Square Garden. That was the low point for the Celtics in a season which they would win 68 games and their 16th NBA title.

Next: No. 18 -- Rambis

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