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

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.

Above L.A. and Golden State sit three teams battling for the coveted 6-seed: the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. The Kings currently have the inside track, thanks to a double-digit win over the Lakers on Wednesday.

How will the standings shake out? Which teams have the toughest schedules remaining? What matchups and stats will matter most? Our NBA Insiders are breaking down what lies ahead for each contender and what they need to do for a playoff berth.