Detroit @ Phoenix preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 29, 2017 ) Phoenix 107, Detroit 131

The Detroit Pistons maintain hope of getting back in the Eastern Conference playoff race but time is running out. Detroit visits the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday and stands six games behind the eighth-place Milwaukee Bucks with 12 games remaining.

The Pistons won for only the fourth time in a 17-game span Monday when they went 14-of-29 from 3-point range in a 106-90 road victory over the Sacramento Kings. Detroit is 10-25 on the road and the win in Sacramento halted a stretch of 12 straight road losses dating back to a win over the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 10. The Suns are experiencing a dreadful stretch with eight consecutive setbacks and 23 in their past 25 games. Standout shooting guard Devin Booker (hand) is in danger of missing his second straight game after only being able to participate in a limited portion of Monday's practice.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Detroit, FS Arizona (Phoenix)

ABOUT THE PISTONS (31-39): Forward Blake Griffin recorded 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists against Sacramento and has scored 25 or more points in six of the past eight games. Griffin's productivity could be enhanced when point guard Reggie Jackson (ankle) returns later this week after being sidelined for nearly three months and Jackson said he is eager to see how he blends with the player recently acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers. "I don't expect it to be hard," Jackson told reporters. "It's hard to get some chemistry and gel, but it's just basketball. ... It's something a lot of us have been doing since we've been five so basketball is basketball."

ABOUT THE SUNS (19-52): Swingman Josh Jackson showed off his potential with Booker sidelined during Saturday's 124-109 loss to the Golden State Warriors by scoring 36 points on 14-of-23 shooting, the most points scored by a Phoenix rookie since Amar'e Stoudemire in 2002. Jackson, who scored 20 points in a 131-107 loss to the Pistons on Nov. 19, is averaging 24 points over the past three games after his explosion against the Warriors. "He was great," Suns coach Jay Triano told reporters. "Josh played aggressive and was able to attack. And not only that, we gave him a tough defensive assignment. I thought he did a pretty good job."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Suns have won seven of their last nine home games against the Pistons.

2. Detroit PG Ish Smith scored 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting against the Kings for his top scoring output since having 20 against the Boston Celtics on Feb. 23.

3. Phoenix SF TJ Warren (knee) is listed as doubtful after departing Saturday's game against the Warriors.

PREDICTION: Pistons 107, Suns 102