Playoff-hopeful Chicago heads to Memphis

Chicago, which is fifth in the Eastern Conference playoff race and 4 1/2 games off the Central Division lead, posted its fourth straight win with Wednesday’s 88-87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wachovia Center.

Kirk Hinrich’s jumper with 26.7 seconds left lifted the Bulls to the one-point triumph and improved their road record to 14-20 this season. Luol Deng finished with a game-high 20 points and six assists for the Bulls, who won for the seventh time in eight contests. Hinrich ended with 14 points in the win.

In injury news for the Bulls, forward Malik Allen (irregular heartbeat) is questionable for today’s game. Allen has missed the last four games.

Memphis is the worst team in the NBA and has dropped two straight and eight of its last nine games. On Wednesday the Grizzlies suffered a 118-96 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers and fell to 0-2 on a five-game homestand.

Rudy Gay scored 24 points and Pau Gasol finished with 23 points and 10 boards for Memphis, which is 11-22 at FedExForum this season. Mike Miller was held to seven points on 3-of-10 shooting versus the Cavs.

The Grizzlies will also host the Hornets and Lakers on the homestand.

Saturday’s showdown between Chicago and Memphis is the second and final meeting of the regular season. The Bulls won the first encounter, 111-66, at the United Center. Ben Gordon scored a game-high 24 points and dished out six assists in the rout.

The home team has won four straight and 11 of the last 13 meetings in the series. Chicago has won four of the last five against Memphis.

Chicago, which leads the all-time series 14-8, has lost six of its last seven at the Grizzlies.