The Miami Heat NBA team was founded in 1988, and despite being a relatively recently created team, there have been many games that have created a spark of rivalry amongst the fans. While there isn’t specifically one team that is Heat’s rival, these 3 teams are considered by the die-hard fans to be the enemy.
New York Knicks
In 1995, Pat Riley the head coach of the Knicks, looked south and became the head coach and team president for the Miami Heat. This move was made via fax and contention between the two teams grew. For four seasons in a row between 1997 and 2000, the Heat met the Knicks in the playoffs and a rivalry began. Each time the teams met up in those playoff games, fans could sense the aggression between the players and a number of fouls were called during them. These years marked the first time any 2 teams faced off in so many consecutive games during the postseason. The teams met up again in the 2012 NBA Playoffs where the Miami Heat claimed victory to 5 games.
Chicago Bulls
There’s no doubt that every time the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls face off, it’s an exciting game. The teams first met up during the 1992 playoffs and the rivalry continued through the 90s. For most basketball fans and even those who don’t identify as basketball fans, there’s no denying that the Chicago Bulls reigned supreme during decade of the 1990s, but the Heat were heavy contenders in attempting to defeat the Bulls.
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