Five under-the-radar X-factors who could determine NBA's jam-packed Western Conference playoff race

It's not just the stars who will be consequential during the stretch run

We're trying our best to avoid the whole "wild west" trope, but the NBA's Western Conference is really making it difficult. The race for the top is tight, with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets all within a single game of each other. But perhaps even more interesting are the fifth through 10th positions, which are separated by just 3.5 games. One bad stretch in the West could mean going from home-court advantage to the Play-In Tournament.

Anyone who follows the league knows the major storylines heading into the home stretch of the regular season. Will LeBron James and Anthony Davis stay on the court? Will the Wolves' late-game offensive issues come back to bite them? Are the Thunder too young and inexperienced to keep it up as the playoffs near?

All those questions are important, but there are also players who are flying under the radar that could significantly affect the playoff race. Here's a look at five X-factors that could ultimately determine the Western Conference standings.