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Beard: Griffin trade energizes Pistons, fan base

What a difference a week makes.

Seven days ago, life was no crystal stair for the Pistons, coming off a double-digit loss at Cleveland.

Enter Blake Griffin. Enter a frenzied fan base. Enter playoff hope.

The past week has brought a renewed optimism to the Pistons (25-26), with a three-game winning streak, including a bounce-back win over the Cavaliers on Tuesday — without departing Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley and before Griffin was cleared to play — and nail-biting thrillers against the Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat.

A quick glance shows the Pistons are back in the playoff picture, just a game from passing the Philadelphia 76ers for the final spot in the East, and within five games of the Washington Wizards for fifth place.