The Spurs' post-All-Star schedule has a hidden trap nobody's talking about

The Spurs have a tough post-All-Star break stretch that could be a defining point of their season. Between February 28th and March 7th, they'll face the Denver Nuggets (twice), Houston Rockets, and New York Knicks.

San Antonio is no stranger to playing well against tough competition. We just saw them run through the Western Conference Playoffs, even knocking off the then-defending champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite losing in the Finals, they put up a tough fight against the Knicks, keeping each game well within reach.

But there's a bigger microscope on this team next season. Their expectations are much higher, so big games against contenders hold a ton of weight. Surviving that late-winter gauntlet will serve as prep for another big playoff run and could put a muzzle on any remaining skeptics.

These teams will test the Spurs in different ways

Each of the Spurs' games throughout that stretch will challenge them differently. On February 28th and March 3rd, they will play the Denver Nuggets twice. This will put their defense to work, as the Nuggets boast an elite scoring attack. Additionally, Wemby can make a strong case for his second straight DPOY award if he can work his magic on Nikola Jokic.

San Antonio's battle against the Houston Rockets will challenge their backcourt. Ime Udoka's squad features several elite perimeter defenders, so Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and De'Aaron Fox will have their work cut out. That's especially true for Castle, whose goal next season is to limit turnovers.

Their March 7th game against the Knicks will be their second meetup of the season, giving them another shot to prove their offseason additions were worth it. There's a lot for San Antonio to show in this matchup, as no team has tested their interior play and clutch gene quite like New York.

The extra importance of the Nuggets and Rockets games

There are other reasons why San Antonio's games against Denver and Houston are important: they are two potentially elite Western Conference groups they haven't faced in a playoff series.

Last postseason, the Spurs avoided both teams. The Lakers took care of the Rockets in the first round, while the Timberwolves did the same, sending the Nuggets back home much earlier than expected.

Familiarity is very important in the playoffs. Teams eyeing a deep run would love to have experience with each opponent they may face, so it's key that the Spurs take advantage of those regular-season battles. They need as much material to use in their game plan if they cross paths.

These are much more than a fun stretch of regular-season games that award the winner bragging rights. They are crucial checkpoints for the Spurs, measuring their improvements while giving them a preview of potential playoff threats.

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