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AUBURN HILLS, Mich. Corey Wootton Jersey . -- About a third of the way through the regular season, the Washington Wizards are at .500. Thats progress for a team thats looking more and more like playoff material in the Eastern Conference. "Its big, and we know where we want to be," swingman Martell Webster said. "At this point in the year, its a time weve got to get rolling. When teams start to click, the offensive and defensive schemes start to be all muscle memory." John Wall scored 29 points and the Wizards became the latest team to rally past Detroit in the fourth quarter, beating the Pistons 106-99 on Monday night. Washington scored the first 11 points of the fourth, a run capped by Websters 3-pointer that put the Wizards ahead 89-87. Detroit never led again. Brandon Jennings had 15 points and 14 assists for the Pistons, who have lost five of six. "We had a nice game going for three quarters, but we didnt keep playing," Detroit coach Maurice Cheeks said. "We got stagnant, and they ran pick-and-roll and kept scoring, and we didnt. In the fourth quarter, it comes down to who makes plays." Trevor Ariza scored 15 points for the Wizards, who also beat Detroit 106-82 on Saturday in Washington. The Wizards have won five of six. "Games like this are hard, especially the way we won the one back in D.C.," Washington coach Randy Wittman said. "We knew these guys were going to come out and really come after us. That first half, they did." Bradley Beal scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half for Washington. The Wizards (14-14) are at .500 after 28 games for the first time since finishing the 2007-08 season 43-39, according to STATS. "We came back and fought in the second half," Wall said. "Most of their points in the first half came on second-chance points and they killed us in the paint. We just came in at halftime and said we have to rebound." It was another frustrating loss for Detroit, outscored 28-12 in the fourth quarter. The Pistons (14-19) have also blown comfortable fourth-quarter leads at home against Portland and Charlotte during the latter part of December. The Wizards led 101-97 with a minute to go, and Detroits Josh Smith had his driving attempt blocked by Marcin Gortat. Wall connected from near the elbow at the other end to make it a six-point game. Detroit led 63-53 after an up-tempo first half. During one sequence, Greg Monroe dunked over Wall to give the Pistons a 24-19 lead, only to have Ariza answer with a 3-pointer seconds later. Detroit rookie Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored a career-high 17 points, all in the first half. In the second quarter, he missed a dunk on a fast break, but the Pistons came up with the ball and Caldwell-Pope was able to spot up for a 3-pointer to put Detroit ahead 49-44. "I really had a rhythm going in the first half, but I couldnt get it back in the second half. I was trying to loosen up and get back into that same feeling, but it didnt happen," Caldwell-Pope said. "They didnt take anything away from us. We just stopped moving the ball. Weve got to finish games and make plays in the fourth." The Pistons entered the game leading the NBA with 14.4 offensive rebounds per game. They had 14 in the first half against Washington. "You cant allow that to happen," Webster said. "We wanted to come out in the second half and take that away." Detroit had only four offensive rebounds in the second half. NOTES: Detroit G Rodney Stuckey (shoulder) did not play. ... Wall went 14 of 15 on free throws. The Pistons could have used some of that marksmanship -- they went 2 for 9 in the first quarter and 21 of 35 for the game. ... Wall reached the 20-point mark for a seventh straight game. Josh Robinson Jersey . Maxime Presseaults goal at 13:59 of the second period broke a 2-2 deadlock for the Foreurs, who trailed the series 3-2 before winning back-to-back games, and Guillaume Gelinas and Pierre-Maxime Poudrier also scored. Linval Joseph Jersey . Headlining the 27 players were first-round NHL draftees Rasmus Ristolainen and Teuvo Teravainen. Both players are returnees from the 2013 Finnish World Junior team.TORONTO -- Marcus Ball had to take the long road to realizing a childhood dream. The former Toronto Argonauts linebacker will finally get a shot at cracking an NFL roster after signing a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints. Ball, wholl turn 27 in July, was undrafted out of Memphis and had to look north to get his start in pro football. "Im very blessed," Ball said during a telephone interview. "Its a fortunate opportunity to be able to achieve one of my ultimate goals and something Ive dreamt about since I was a kid starting out playing football. "This doesnt guarantee anything. I still have to go and fight for a position and spot on the roster but Im looking forward to the challenge." The six-foot-one, 209-pound Ball spent two seasons with the Argos, helping them win the 100th Grey Cup in 12. He recorded 142 tackles, seven sacks, four interceptions -- returning two for TDs -- and three fumble recoveries. Ball is expected to compete for a spot as a backup safety with the Saints and also play special teams. The club has two other safeties -- Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro -- on its roster. But Ball said his time in Toronto has prepared him well to compete for an NFL roster spot. "Being in a professional system and figuring out how to be a pro and learning how to be a pro in Toronto really helped me," he said. "Being in such a great organization in terms of ownership, (GM) Jim Barker, (former defensive co-ordinator) Chris Jones and (head coach) Scott Milanovich and being part of that championship mentality taught me a lot." Barker released Ball in February even though Ball was entering the option year of his CFL deal. Ball said hell forever be grateful to the Argos GM for allowing him to pursue his NFL dream. "That just speaks volumes about the kind of guy and person Jim Barker is," Ball said. "He has always believed in me, he has always been there for me and treated me like his own, as has the entire Argos staff and front office, thats what I really appreciated. "This is bitter-sweet because I love Toronto and will always consider Toronto home. Its tough to leave but now I have the opportunity to accomplish my dream." Dan Vertlieb, Balls Vancouver-based agent, echoed his clients sentiments. "Marcus is incredibly grateful to Jim Barker and the Toronto Argonauts for allowing him this opportunity," Vertlieb said. "Jim, in particular, has been a leader and visionary on this issue and in doing so has given Marcus the opportunity to best provide for his family. "Its not something that will soon be forgotten -- Marcus will be forever grateful for his time with the Argos." Last fall, receiver/kick-returner Chris Williams -- also a Vertlieb client -- became embroiled in a dispute with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats regarding his desire to pursue NFL opportunities while still under contract. Williams went to arbitration to be released from the final year of his CFL deal beffore ultimately reaching an agreement with the Ticats that allowed him to sign as a free agent with the Saints. Anthony Barr Jersey. Williams is now with the Chicago Bears. Ball is the third Toronto player to sign in the NFL after being released by the club, joining defensive back Nieko Thorpe (Oakland Raiders) and receiver Dontrelle Inman (San Diego Chargers). Thorpe also had time remaining on his CFL deal but Inman was released in December, just over a month before he was poised to become a free agent. Shortly after Torontos 12 Grey Cup victory, Barker released defensive lineman Armond Armstead, allowing him to sign with the NFLs New England Patriots. "Every situation is different," Barker said. "Its my job to win Grey Cups and I do whatever I have to do in order to win Grey Cups. "Ive never let a player go just because Im a nice guy. I do whats in the best interests of this football organization." Barker praised Ball for the contributions he made to the Argos. "Obviously, Marcus Ball is a great football player and you always have room and find a place for great football players," Barker said. "He always brings great energy and hopefully he can go and have a very successful career there." Balls departure adds to whats already been a whirlwind off-season for Toronto. Other players leaving include cornerback Patrick Watkins (free agent, Edmonton), linebacker Jason Pottinger (expansion draft, Ottawa), offensive lineman Joe Eppele (expansion draft, Ottawa), defensive lineman David Lee (free agent, Saskatchewan) and quarterback Zach Collaros (free agent, Hamilton). Defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell was also released to pursue NFL opportunities and remains a free agent. There was a revamping of the coaching staff as well with the departures of Jones and special-teams co-ordinator Mike OShea (head coach, Winnipeg) and assistants Steve McAddo, Jason Shivers, Ed Philion and Craig Davoren (all with Jones to Edmonton). The front office wasnt immune either as player-personnel director Ted Goveia left to become Winnipegs assistant GM. "This league is about change and either you prepare and can handle it or youre not going to be in league very long," Barker said. "The one thing I feel like Ive learned is you adapt to the situation you have. "Wed love everybody back but were dealing in a SMS (salary management system) world and it is what it is. Were proud that two of the three new head coaches came from our coaching staff because it means we have the right kind of people." And the nature of the business, Barker said, is always planning for the day when quality people within the organization get the opportunity to shine elsewhere. "Youve got to have a progression plan and to me, thats part of what Scott and I do," Barker said. "Well talk about replacements for these guys that are here now . . . its all about preparation. "You have to prepare for a worst-case scenario." wholesale nfl jerseys ' ' '