As the NBA regular-season marathon ticks toward the finish line, every game is amplified, not only for squads fighting for playoff seeding but for those simply trying to get into the big dance. And, indeed, fates can be decided at the very end, as the Nuggets proved last season when they fell short of a playoff berth because of a loss on the last day of the regular season to Minnesota.
This final stretch is likewise critical for potential contenders hoping to keep their stars fresh(ish) for the long postseason ahead instead of burning them out even more before it ever begins.