The undefeated Detroit Pistons host the Boston Celtics on Saturday night, and Celtics big man Al Horford has some high praise for Pistons power forward Blake Griffin.

Through four games, Griffin is averaging 33.8 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists while shooting 55.7 percent from the field, 65.2 percent from beyond the arc and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line. After having a summer where he didn't have to rehab an injury and was able to work on his game, Blake Griffin looks like an All-Star again and is poised to lead the Pistons on a deep run in the Eastern Conference.

After the Celtics' morning shootaround, Al Horford was asked by reporters about Blake Griffin's hot start, and the veteran says the high-flyer is playing like an MVP candidate, via NBC Sports Boston:

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“Man, he is playing like an MVP candidate,” Horford said. “Just very impressed. Shooting the 3-ball with a lot of confidence. Really playing off the dribble. Posting. He’s doing it all and he just looks like he’s settled down here. Last year I think it was probably tough for him with the transition in the middle of the year and all that. But now that he’s been here all summer and he’s healthy, he looks great.”

With the league trending to more small-ball lineups and teams drifting away from the conventional post up big man, Blake Griffin knew he had to become a better 3-point shooter. The five-time All-Star worked on his jump shot all offseason, and the early returns are very positive.

Now that LeBron James is out West, the Pistons should contend for a playoff spot in what figures to be a wide-open race in the East.