It's common knowledge that intensity increases in the postseason, but there's also a tremendous amount of nuance, of little things that make the difference between an extended run and an early vacation. The competition is better, the stakes are higher and the margins are thinner.
Star play often brands series, but nuance can frequently define them -- anything from an unheralded player, a coach's tactics or an aspect of play that tips the balance of a crucial game.
Here are six potential X factors in the NBA playoffs' second round:
