Ben Wallace didn't practice again Tuesday because of his sprained left ankle, although coach Scott Skiles said Wallace warmed up and athletic trainer Fred Tedeschi "feels like Ben is going to go."
Wallace is leaning toward playing.
"I'm going to give it a shot before the game and see how it goes," he said. "Every day it feels a little better. But if I can't go out there and deliver, there's no need for me to be on the floor."
Joe Smith worked with the first unit during Tuesday's practice, suggesting he'd start regardless of whether Wallace is playing. Deng, Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich are the other three starters.