I think the difference is that teams are more cautious because they don't want a season disrupted by a major injury. Zion the other day said that the Pelicans were the limiting factor in his sitting back-to-backs. Players frequently come back on minutes restrictions (Kawhi previously, Exum currently).

The game is so much faster in terms of pace, and in terms of players being bigger and faster. That's the real reason for injury caution.