Washington @ Detroit preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 19, 2018 ) Washington 122, Detroit 112

The Washington Wizards will learn prior to Thursday's game whether All-Star point guard John Wall be back on the floor. Wall missed the past two months after undergoing surgery on his left knee and he is listed as questionable for the contest against the host Detroit Pistons.

Wall participated in a 5-on-5 practice earlier this week and is moving closer to a return but a decision won't likely be made prior to Thursday's mid-day shootaround. "He's getting close," Wizards coach Scott Brooks told reporters on Wednesday. "The next thing is game (action). I know everybody's excited. He's definitely excited. He wants to get out there. He knows he has to continue to put the work in and we will all make the final decision." Washington is looking forward to getting Wall back as it sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference race with eight games remaining. The Pistons are still mathematically alive for a postseason spot but their chances aren't good as they trail the eighth-place Milwaukee Bucks by five games with eight left.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, FS Detroit

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (41-33): Washington has relied more on its bench during Wall's absence and the reserves put up 61 points in Tuesday's 116-106 win over the San Antonio Spurs. "They trusted each other on offense to make the right simple plays, right reason, (unselfish) plays and it's always better when everyone is making some shots," shooting guard Bradley Beal said of the bench. "It just made it that much better." Veteran shooting guard Jodie Meeks recorded 13 points in 20 minutes off the bench for just his third double-digit outing in his past 15 appearances.

ABOUT THE PISTONS (34-40): Point guard Reggie Jackson stood out in his fourth game back from an ankle injury by scoring 20 points in 28 minutes during Monday's 112-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Jackson joked afterward that he could barely breathe in the second half as he deals with improving his conditioning but he felt he was finally able to play without limitations. "I feel like my ankle's opened up a little more and gaining more explosion in trying to attack and take what the defense gives me," Jackson said afterward. "Trying to get downhill and find ways for my teammates to get open shots and, if they leave me open, continue attacking and try to get shots for myself as well."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Wizards are 3-0 against the Pistons this season and won the past four meetings.

2. Starting Washington Fs Markieff Morris (15 points, 7-of-7 shooting) and Otto Porter Jr. (14 points, 6-of-7) were a combined 13-of-14 shooting against the Spurs.

3. Detroit SF Stanley Johnson is averaging 3.5 points on 6-of-27 shooting over the past four games.

PREDICTION: Pistons 106, Wizards 103