Phoenix @ Memphis preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 29, 2018 ) Phoenix 109, Memphis 120

The race to the bottom in the Western Conference is heated, with four teams fighting for the most ping pong balls in the NBA draft lottery. Two of those teams meet on Wednesday when the Memphis Grizzlies host the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns are currently holding down the worst record in the NBA at 18-44 and are enduring a 10-game losing streak -- tied for the longest in the NBA with the Grizzlies. Memphis is 1 1/2 games up on Phoenix but is getting crushed of late, with each of its three losses since the All-Star break coming by at least 11 points. "They fight, and they continue to fight," Grizzlies interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff insisted to reporters of his team. "I've seen people crumble in these moments and we haven't done that. We've gotten off to slow starts and even more reason to think we should give in and the guys haven't done that. They've continued to battle, they've continued to fight, and they will continue to battle and continue to fight." Phoenix at least came out strong and built a 17-point lead in the first half at New Orleans on Monday before wilting after the break and suffering a 125-116 setback.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Phoenix), FS Southeast (Memphis)

ABOUT THE SUNS (18-44): Squandering double-digit leads is becoming commonplace for the young Phoenix team, which was up 15 with under eight minutes to play on Saturday against Portland before falling 106-104. The bright spot for the team continues to be shooting guard Devin Booker, who collected 40 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in Monday's loss. The 21-year-old is averaging 31.3 points over the last four games but sat out a 120-109 loss at Memphis on Jan. 29.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (18-41): Memphis power forward JaMychal Green is finding ways to stand out in the lost season and posted his third consecutive double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds in a 109-98 loss at Boston on Monday. "In tough situations your true character shows and (Green) hasn't laid down," Bickerstaff told reporters. "JaMych continues to fight, continues to give effort, continues to battle. Credit to him, his character as a human being." Green is shooting 56.8 percent from the floor over the last four games and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers on Monday.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Grizzlies SG Tyreke Evans (ribs) missed the last two games and is not expected to play on Wednesday.

2. Suns PG Tyler Ulis (back) sat out the last three games and is questionable for Wednesday.

3. The home team took the last five in the series, with Phoenix last winning in Memphis on March 6, 2016.

PREDICTION: Grizzlies 109, Suns 106