Since 1997
Heat vs. Knicks
1990s playoff warfare in the Eastern Conference
The Heat-Knicks rivalry was the most violent, contentious, and compelling Eastern Conference playoff series of the late 1990s. From 1997 to 2000, these two teams met in the postseason four consecutive years, producing games defined by hard fouls, simmering tempers, and the kind of defensive intensity that made every possession feel like a battle. Pat Riley, who had coached the Knicks before defecting to Miami, added a deeply personal dimension to every matchup.