The Western Conference playoff race is simply going to come down to the wire, whether we like it or not, and the L.A. Clippers are going to be right in the thick of it all. On Tuesday, they will conclude a grueling seven-game road trip against one of the teams that stands in their way: the Denver Nuggets.

Clippers point guard Austin Rivers wants to take full advantage of Tuesday's opportunity at Pepsi Center.

“Up to this point, I think as this stretch goes on, it just seems like each game is going to be bigger and bigger. So thus far, this is the biggest game of year for us is this Denver game,” Rivers said on Monday. “And then I'm sure next week I'll be talking about a different team because these are teams we're fighting with for the playoffs.”

The 25-year old point guard is still keeping his goals realistic and remains aware that gaining a bunch of ground in the standings to teams like the Houston Rockets is out of the question.

“A lot of people are talking about the Rockets game but they're at the top of the West. We're not going to catch the Rockets.

Austin Rivers
USA TODAY Sports

We're trying to catch the Nuggets and the Pelicans,” Rivers said. “These are the teams that we are really trying to fight for and beat, so this is a big game for us.”

Rivers remains hungry as ever to play to the best of his ability and is prepared for a fight to the finish.

“Yeah, as a competitor. Obviously, you don't want to be in this position. You'd like to be six or seven games safe but right now, the Thunder just dropped to seventh,” Rivers said. “That's crazy, so it's going to be a dogfight. Everyone is trying to get in, so we'll see.”

A video of the interview with Rivers, which was posted on Twitter by ClutchPoints' own Tomer Azarly, can be viewed below.

In just 38 games this season for the Clippers because of nagging injuries, Rivers is still currently averaging 15.5 points and 3.8 assists per game.