Heat vs. Spurs II and the 15 Best Sports Rematches

Heat vs. Spurs II and the 15 Best Sports Rematches

By Andrew Fisher

June 3, 2014

Top 15 Sports Rematches In History

Miami Heat v San Antonio Spurs - Game Three — The Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs are set to do battle for the second straight year in the NBA Finals. However, it's not even close to the first time we've seen a championship or huge rematch between two teams or stars.

Here's a look at the greatest rematches in sports history in honor of Spurs vs Heat II:

The Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs are set to do battle for the second straight year in the NBA Finals. However, it's not even close to the first time we've seen a championship or huge rematch between two teams or stars.

Here's a look at the greatest rematches in sports history in honor of Spurs vs Heat II:

15. Ali vs. Liston II

Clay V Liston

15. Ali vs. Liston II

Clay V Liston — This boxing rematch is remembered for controversy above all else. Ali ended the fight in the first round with the now famous 'anchor punch', but many at the time thought Liston threw the fight.

This boxing rematch is remembered for controversy above all else. Ali ended the fight in the first round with the now famous 'anchor punch', but many at the time thought Liston threw the fight.

14. Bulls vs. Jazz (97-98)

bulls vs jazz

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14. Bulls vs. Jazz (97-98)

bulls vs jazz — The most recent NBA Finals rematch ended with Michael Jordan hitting the game-winning shot over Byron Russell in one of the best endings to an era fans have ever seen.

The most recent NBA Finals rematch ended with Michael Jordan hitting the game-winning shot over Byron Russell in one of the best endings to an era fans have ever seen.

13. Tyson vs. Holyfield II (The Bite Fight)

Holyfield v Tyson II

13. Tyson vs. Holyfield II (The Bite Fight)

Holyfield v Tyson II — Just like Ali vs. Liston II, Tyson vs. Holyfield II is remember for controversy above all else. Tyson bit off a piece of Holyfield's ear, which resulted in a DQ.

Just like Ali vs. Liston II, Tyson vs. Holyfield II is remember for controversy above all else. Tyson bit off a piece of Holyfield's ear, which resulted in a DQ.

12. Lakers vs. Celtics (2008, 2010)

NBA Finals Game 7: Boston Celtics v Los Angeles Lakers

12. Lakers vs. Celtics (2008, 2010)

NBA Finals Game 7: Boston Celtics v Los Angeles Lakers — Two of the all-time great franchises renewed their rivalry in 2008 and then again two years later. The Celtics won the first matchup, while the Lakers got the last laugh in 2010.

Two of the all-time great franchises renewed their rivalry in 2008 and then again two years later. The Celtics won the first matchup, while the Lakers got the last laugh in 2010.

11. Red Wings vs. Penguins (08-09)

Pittsburgh Penguins v Detroit Red Wings

11. Red Wings vs. Penguins (08-09)

Pittsburgh Penguins v Detroit Red Wings — The veteran Red Wings knocked off the Pens in 2008, but Sidney Crosby became the youngest Captain in NHL history to win the Cup in 2009.

The veteran Red Wings knocked off the Pens in 2008, but Sidney Crosby became the youngest Captain in NHL history to win the Cup in 2009.

10. Cardinals vs. Yankees (26, 28, 42, 43)

Lou Gehrig

10. Cardinals vs. Yankees (26, 28, 42, 43)

Lou Gehrig — The two most storied franchises in MLB history locked horns in two sets of rematches back in the day. Overall the teams split the World Series battles 2-2.

The two most storied franchises in MLB history locked horns in two sets of rematches back in the day. Overall the teams split the World Series battles 2-2.

9. Steelers vs. Cowboys (SB X - SB XIII)

Tom Landry

9. Steelers vs. Cowboys (SB X - SB XIII)

Tom Landry — These two NFL powerhouses became the first teams to face off in a rematch of previous SB winners at SB XIII. The Cowboys lost a heartbreaker 35-31.

These two NFL powerhouses became the first teams to face off in a rematch of previous SB winners at SB XIII. The Cowboys lost a heartbreaker 35-31.

8. Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe (Wimbledon 80-81)

Wimbledon McEnroe

8. Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe (Wimbledon 80-81)

Wimbledon McEnroe — Bjorn Borg was tennis in late 1970s and early 1980s. He had won four straight Wimbledons coming into the 1980 final against McEnroe. Borg defeated McEnroe for his fifth straight title, but then lost the rematch a year later.

Bjorn Borg was tennis in late 1970s and early 1980s. He had won four straight Wimbledons coming into the 1980 final against McEnroe. Borg defeated McEnroe for his fifth straight title, but then lost the rematch a year later.

7. Lakers vs. Pistons (88-89)

Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas Pregame Portrait

7. Lakers vs. Pistons (88-89)

Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas Pregame Portrait — Showtime went head-to-head with the Bad Boys in the 1988 and 1989 Finals. The Showtime Lakers won their last ring in 1988, while the Bad Boys won their first of two titles in 1989.

Showtime went head-to-head with the Bad Boys in the 1988 and 1989 Finals. The Showtime Lakers won their last ring in 1988, while the Bad Boys won their first of two titles in 1989.

6. Heat vs. Mavs (2006, 2011)

Dallas Mavericks v Miami Heat - Game Six

6. Heat vs. Mavs (2006, 2011)

Dallas Mavericks v Miami Heat - Game Six — This was a rematch five years in the making, but completely worth the wait. After many failed runs, Dirk Nowitzki finally reached the mountain top by taking out the newly formed Big Three in Miami.

This was a rematch five years in the making, but completely worth the wait. After many failed runs, Dirk Nowitzki finally reached the mountain top by taking out the newly formed Big Three in Miami.

5. Oilers vs. Islanders (83-84)

Wayne Gretzky

5. Oilers vs. Islanders (83-84)

Wayne Gretzky — Coming into the 1984 rematch, the Islanders had won four straight Cups (including one over the Oilers). The Oilers would go on to win in 1984, which led to five championships in seven years.

Coming into the 1984 rematch, the Islanders had won four straight Cups (including one over the Oilers). The Oilers would go on to win in 1984, which led to five championships in seven years.

4. Federer vs. Nadal (06-07-08)

The Championships - Wimbledon 2008 Day Thirteen

4. Federer vs. Nadal (06-07-08)

The Championships - Wimbledon 2008 Day Thirteen — These two tennis legends faced off in three straight Wimbledon Finals, with Federer winning the first two and Nadal winning the last in 2008. Will they ever meet in London again?

These two tennis legends faced off in three straight Wimbledon Finals, with Federer winning the first two and Nadal winning the last in 2008. Will they ever meet in London again?

3. Giants vs. Patriots (SB XLII, SB XLVI)

New York Giants v New England Patriots

3. Giants vs. Patriots (SB XLII, SB XLVI)

New York Giants v New England Patriots — The first time around it was a supposed to be a huge mismatch. The second time around NFL fans knew the Giants would up to the challenge of facing Brady and the Patriots. In the end, the Giants knocked off the Pats both times.

The first time around it was a supposed to be a huge mismatch. The second time around NFL fans knew the Giants would up to the challenge of facing Brady and the Patriots. In the end, the Giants knocked off the Pats both times.

2. Lakers vs. Celtics (84-85)

1985 NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics

2. Lakers vs. Celtics (84-85)

1985 NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics — The Lakers and Celtics have faced off many times in the NBA Finals, but this back-to-back run in 1984 and 1985 has to be the best. Both teams were in their primes, with the Celtics taking the Finals in '84 and the Lakers getting revenge in '85.

The Lakers and Celtics have faced off many times in the NBA Finals, but this back-to-back run in 1984 and 1985 has to be the best. Both teams were in their primes, with the Celtics taking the Finals in '84 and the Lakers getting revenge in '85.

1. Ali vs. Frazier II & III

MUHAMMAD ALI

1. Ali vs. Frazier II & III

MUHAMMAD ALI — Ali vs. Frazier I was so good, they had to have two more fights. Their second rematch is arguably the best fight of all time, and simply referred to as the 'Thriller in Manila'. Overall, Ali won the series 2-1.

Ali vs. Frazier I was so good, they had to have two more fights. Their second rematch is arguably the best fight of all time, and simply referred to as the 'Thriller in Manila'. Overall, Ali won the series 2-1.

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