Four of the Denver Nuggets' five starters missed significant time this season, and if that wasn't bad enough, Peyton Watson and Jonas Valanu010diu016bnas are dealing/dealt with injuries, too. The former is still out with a hamstring strain that he suffered at the beginning of February. As bad as it's been, there is a silver lining — the unexpected rest come playoff time.
The playoffs are more physically demanding than your typical regular-season game, especially if a series goes to seven games. It's mentally and physically draining. Some teams run out of steam.
Look at what happened to Denver last year with two back-to-back seven-game series.