blake griffin

The Los Angeles Clippers have rediscovered their mojo since the multi-player trade that sent power forward Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons. The Clippers are 8-3 in their last 11 games, and are 4-2 on their current road trip. But they are just 1-2 on this trip against teams currently holding playoff spots, and Tuesday's opponent, the Denver Nuggets, fall into that category as eight seed in the West.

The Boston Celtics made their first appearance at Little Caesars Arena earlier this season and picked up right where they left off, whipping the Detroit Pistons 91-81. The Celtics have won three of four and five of seven from the Pistons, and are especially successful in Detroit. Boston has won four straight in the Motor City. The Pistons haven't vanquished the Celtics on their home court since Dec. 16, 2015.

No contender needed a shakeup more than the moribund Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Cavaliers definitely got shook up, surrounding LeBron James with a new cast of characters, bringing in four new faces and jettisoning five players from the roster. One of them, Dwayne Wade, returned to Miami and will make his reappearance for the Heat against Milwaukee. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons and L.A. Clippers clash just days after making a six-player blockbuster.

With the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline fast approaching, teams must determine quickly whether they are buyers, sellers, or that they are satisfied with the chemistry of their club and find no reason to alter the team. But deadline deals can create a domino effect. The Detroit Pistons are 4-0 since acquiring Blake Griffin, which may cause other teams on the Eastern playoff bubble to make a counter move.