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What matters most down the stretch in the NBA's wild West play-in race

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The race for the NBA's Western Conference play-in tournament -- and to avoid it all together -- is heating up with just under a month remaining in the regular season. And there are some star-studded races to watch down the stretch.

Let's start toward the bottom, where the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are on a collision course for the 9-10 game. LeBron James and Stephen Curry, each with four NBA titles, will likely have to win twice in the tournament to just reach the playoffs and have a chance at a fifth ring.