The acquisition of Blake Griffin appears to be paying immediate dividends for the Detroit Pistons. The team has won four in a row since they officially acquired him from the Los Angeles Clippers and look transformed. They will try to continue that push tonight against the Brooklyn Nets (19-36) at Little Caesar’s Arena.

Detroit is looking to match its season-high winning streak, matching what they accomplished at the beginning of November. The Pistons sit behind the Philadelphia 76ers by a mere half game and only four games behind the Cavaliers and Wizards, who are tied for third in the Eastern Conference. That relatively small gap is certainly attainable with the way Detroit is playing, anchored by Griffin and All-Star Andre Drummond.

Drummond has gone under the radar over the past few games despite putting up some great numbers. He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week and was named an All-Star the week prior. He now has a double-double in his last seven games with three of those involving at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. Drummond will have another favorable matchup tonight against a Nets team that has lost seven of their last eight games. Griffin should feast too. Since coming to the Motor City he has averaged 20.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and six assists per game.

Former Piston Spencer Diwniddie hit a game-winning shot the last time these two teams met, adding insult to injury against a Detroit squad that was reeling at the time. What a difference two weeks can make. Brooklyn recently traded backup center Tyler Zeller to Milwaukee, with guard Joe Harris and forward DeMarre Carroll potentially following him out. The latter two are currently active at the time of this writing, but things change quickly in the NBA.

Center Willie Reed, who was acquired alongside Griffin, was suspended six games last night stemming from a prior domestic abuse incident. The Player’s Association has filed a grievance on his behalf.

(Featured photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)