The Miami Heat looked as though they were cruising to an Eastern Conference playoff spot a few weeks ago, but four losses in the last six games have put them squarely on the bubble. The Heat look to turn things around when they begin a critical three-game trip against the Charlotte Hornets - one of their chief competitors for a postseason spot - on Wednesday night.

The Detroit Pistons' playoff chances are hanging by a thread, making Wednesday's home contest against the Toronto Raptors a virtual must-win affair. At the very least, the Pistons should be well-rested, having not played since a three-point overtime loss at Milwaukee on Friday.

The race for the sixth seed in the Western Conference heats up Wednesday night in Memphis as the Grizzlies try to close the gap on the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder. Memphis finished its road schedule with a 95-89 overtime loss to San Antonio on Tuesday to fall 2 1/2 games behind the Thunder but only has four games left to play.

The Houston Rockets found a way to win without three starters in the lineup last time out and may have to do it again when they host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night. MVP candidate James Harden (sore wrist), along with Ryan Anderson (ankle) and Trevor Ariza (personal), missed Monday’s 123-116 victory at Phoenix that snapped a three-game losing streak and the Rockets will try to deal Denver a major blow in its playoff chase.

The race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference takes center stage Wednesday night when the Boston Celtics host the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers won 122-102 at home against Orlando on Tuesday to pull into a tie with the Celtics with five games to play for both teams.

The San Antonio Spurs still have the Western Conference-leading Golden State Warriors in sight and look to move a bit closer when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. San Antonio trails the Warriors by 3 1/2 games with five contests remaining and can possibly cut into the deficit by defeating the Lakers for the ninth consecutive time.

The Golden State Warriors have recorded 12 straight victories and are the winningest team over a three-season span in NBA history entering Wednesday's road game against the Phoenix Suns. The Warriors defeated Minnesota 121-107 on Tuesday for their record 204th win over the last three campaigns, breaking a tie with the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls (1995-98).

The Los Angeles Clippers continue their pursuit of the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Los Angeles has won three straight contests and seven of its last nine as it sits one game behind fourth-place Utah with four remaining.