The NBA Belt · story
The rivalries that decided the NBA belt
The five pairs of franchises that have met most often with the belt on the line.
No two franchises have fought over the NBA belt more often than these.
1. Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
160 belt meetings between 1950 and 2018, 76 title changes. Belt series: Celtics 95, 76ers 65. Every meeting →
2. Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers
155 belt meetings between 1949 and 2024, 80 title changes. Belt series: Celtics 95, Lakers 60. Every meeting →
3. Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks
136 belt meetings between 1947 and 2026, 49 title changes. Belt series: Celtics 80, Knicks 56. Every meeting →
4. Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics
102 belt meetings between 1952 and 2026, 51 title changes. Belt series: Hawks 38, Celtics 64. Every meeting →
5. Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons
97 belt meetings between 1950 and 2024, 34 title changes. Belt series: Celtics 70, Pistons 27. Every meeting →