The Toronto Raptors are streaking toward the best record in the Eastern Conference as they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday for a late-season showdown. The Cavaliers are three-time defending conference champions but currently are in third place - 11 1/2 games behind Toronto.

The Philadelphia 76ers are keeping the heat on those ahead of them in the Eastern Conference playoff race and have an excellent chance to continue their surge when the lowly Memphis Grizzlies visit Wednesday night. Three consecutive victories have the sixth-place 76ers a half-game out of fifth, a game out of fourth and 1 1/2 games behind third-place Cleveland.

The Brooklyn Nets are already eliminated from the postseason race but have no intention of laying down the rest of the way with draft position of no concern. The Nets will try to earn their third consecutive win when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday.

The New York Knicks are already eliminated from playoff contention but are starting to play well and could have an impact on the race down the stretch. The Knicks will try to knock off one Eastern Conference playoff contender when they open a stretch with four of five on the road by visiting the Miami Heat on Wednesday.

The Denver Nuggets put up 141 points at Miami on Monday and still couldn't escape with a win, and they are falling off the pace in the Western Conference playoff race. The Nuggets will try to put in a little more work on the defensive end and get back in the win column when they continue the road trip by visiting the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Clippers are sliding in the wrong direction at a bad time as they prepare to visit the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday. Los Angeles will be looking to end a four-game losing streak after falling 123-109 to Minnesota on Tuesday to begin a stretch during which it plays six of seven on the road.

The Indiana Pacers make a recently added trip to the Crescent City on Wednesday as they face the New Orleans Pelicans to make up a contest that was postponed last month. The game scheduled for Feb. 7 in New Orleans had to be scrapped due to a leaky roof in the Smoothie King Center.

The San Antonio Spurs are beginning to pick it up with wins in four straight as LaMarcus Aldridge carries the team with Kawhi Leonard still on the mend. The Spurs will try to make it five straight when it hosts a team locked in its own postseason battle in the Washington Wizards.