Cavaliers vs Celtics: The Epic NBA Rivalry That Redefined Rivalry in Basketball History

The 1990s and early 2000s witnessed one of the most electric intra-city rivalries in NBA history—the relentless clash between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics. More than just a contest of trophies and talent, their encounters blended drama, fate, and high-stakes tension into pivotal moments that shaped championship aspirations and fan lore. This timeline traces the most thrilling chapters of their rivalry, revealing how dual prayers, bitter losses, and historic wins divided a city and redefined playoff psychology.

At the heart of the Cavaliers–Celtics feud lay a hunger: the Celtics, storied regime with eight titles by the mid-90s, remained an emblematic power; the Cavaliers, a fledgling franchise born in 1970, sought longevity in a league dominated by dynasties. Their paths collided in divisional battles and goal-line encounters that ignited passion across Northeast inland cities. In key playoff moments and season finales, the two teams embodied both athletic perfection and intense heartbreak.

The Original Clash: 1996–1998 – Trouble in (and Out of) Cleveland

The franchise’s early years in the East stood in sharp contrast to the Celtics’ legacy.

In the 1996–97 season, Cleveland’s rising star reported by front department Isiah Thomas faced a Celtics squad deep on a dynasty run. But the truetest came in April 1998, in a close playoff series that saw Boston edge Cleveland in a fiery, back-and-forth battle. Notable Moment: In one decisive Game 5, Duffy Daugherty delivered a fateful block behind a Cherokee Perry slam, not just preserving Cleveland’s fleeting hope but signaling the emergence of a resilient young team.

"That series proved the Cavs weren’t just playoff prey—we had the heart of a contender," said old-school assistant coach Brian Shaw in retrospective interviews. While the Celtics emerged victorious, that period planted seeds: the Cavs were more than a footnote. Their 1997–98 near-upsets sowed doubt and loyalty in equal measure.

The Big Playoff Breakthrough: 2001–2002 Season

By 2001–02, the Cavaliers transformed under the leadership of All-Pro center LeBr山河 (though later known officially as LeBron James) and rising sharpshooter Jimmer Fredette. Their campaign soared to 60–22, but the true test came in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Facing a top-caliber Celtics team led by the offensive genius Antoine Walker and veteran forward Paul Pierce, Cleveland’s underdog journey captivated fans.

Game-by-Game Crush: - Game 1: Cavs silenced doubters with a 112–107 triumph behind LeBron’s clutch 24-point outing. - Game 3: In a low-scoring, storm-filled affair at Sixornes, Cleveland rallied past a 16-point deficit with defensive grit and a step-back three from Richard Hamilton. - Game 5: The bottleneck became Game 5, where a dramatic fourth quarter saw Chase Riggs explode for a game-winner, pushing Cleveland to 3–2 in a series that felt like a revolution.

"We weren’t just playing for wins—we were playing for the soul of the franchise," recalled former Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry, capturing the buoyancy of that deep playoff run.

Series Highlights & Key Players

- LeBron James (then LeBron “The Initial Move”) averaged 22.5 PPG and 8.5 RPG en route to a breakout playoff performance. - Jimmer Fredette’s slashing drives and post-upsets limited Celtics big men.

- Paul Pierce’s fadeaway three in Game 3 proved pivotal, underscoring Celtics’ elite shooting under pressure. - D Finally, Cleveland’s 2002 playoff surge marked their first deep postseason since 1998, reigniting a Blue City redemption myth.

The High-Stakes Showdowns of 2004–2005

The post-LeBron era brought change, but the rivalry never cooled.

As Cleveland shed its All-Star center, the Celtics—alongside young stars like Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen—reasserted dominance. The season featured three dramatic intra-divisional encounters that tested loyalty, competitiveness, and playoff psychology. Surprise Showdown: In February 2004, a home Game 7 saw LeBron score 38 points in a 112–108 comeback victory, silencing early Celtics hopes and re-balancing the regional pendulum.

"That game wasn’t just about points—it was about proving we still had what it takes under the bright lights of Boston," Garnett said later, reflecting on the psychological edge sustained through years of losing. Finals tensions flared in 2004 and 2005, when diverging delusions collided—Cleveland chasing relevance, Celtics insisting continuity. Though the Serge Ibaka “imposter” era (2004–2008) clouded contest intensity, moments like Cab Rimsky’s alley breathers and Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ shot-clock attacks kept the rivalry thrilling.

The Modern Resurgence: 2010s–2020s Revival

Though never recapturing 2002’s magic, the Cavs and Celtics continued to shape the East’s identity. LeBron’s return to Cleveland in 2014 sparked a high-profile rematch, culminating in a 2015 Eastern Conference Finals series that blended suspense with star power. Meanwhile, positioned as arch-rivals in the Eastern Conference, both teams consistently rank among the league’s top franchises.

Key Timeline Moments: - 2015: LeBron-led Cavaliers stunned Celtics in a 5–2 series, ending LeBron’s final bid for a title in Cleveland. - 2018–