Charlotte @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 23, 2018 ) Charlotte 122, Washington 105

The Washington Wizards are falling out of the running for homecourt advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with losses in four of the last five games, but getting John Wall up to speed again might be more important. The Wizards hope to have Wall on the floor when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.

Wall, who underwent knee surgery on Jan. 31, is participating in full practices and dressed for Thursday's loss to the Detroit Pistons but did not play. "We just got to continue to move the ball, play defense, run out in transition," Washington small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. told the Washington Post. "John Wall is the fastest, and one of the best point guards in our league. We got to continue to do what we did before he went out, just run in transition and get defensive stops. And move the ball." Wall is expected to return on Saturday with the Wizards now trying to fight off the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks for the sixth spot in the East. The Hornets are on the verge of mathematical elimination from the postseason but were playing well with wins in four straight before dropping a 118-105 decision to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Southeast (Charlotte), NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE HORNETS (34-42): Charlotte may not be going to the playoffs but the team is still going all-out for wins, and All-Star guard Kemba Walker is making franchise history. Walker was emotional on Wednesday after he passed Dell Curry for first place on the franchise's all-time scoring list in front of the home fans, reaching 9,841 points. "I wanted this for the people who have seen me grow as a basketball player," Walker told reporters. "I wouldn't have gotten that same ovation in Washington. I wanted them to be the ones."

ABOUT THE WIZARDS (41-34): Wall was averaging 19.4 points and 9.3 assists when he went down, and the team could use a boost on offense after failing to score more than 100 points in four of the last five contests. "Obviously we know we're going to be in the playoffs," guard Jodie Meeks told the Washington Post. "I think we're ready. We get John back Saturday. Obviously, he'll be on a little minute restriction, but he's our best player. We get him back and get everybody acclimated to getting his rhythm back, I think it will be helpful." Bradley Beal carried the load in Wall's absence but is just 3-of-18 from 3-point range over the last three games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Wizards SF Otto Porter Jr. (ankle) left Thursday's game but had x-rays come back clean and is day-to-day.

2. Hornets C Dwight Howard recorded a double-double in eight of his last nine games.

3. Charlotte averaged 128 points in winning each of the first three meetings this season.

PREDICTION: Wizards 109, Hornets 105