Road sweep demonstrates Pistons’ rapid improvement

(Photo: John Bazemore / Associated Press)Atlanta — It seems that things are finally starting to sink in. The Pistons are playing like many thought they would at the beginning of the season and looking like not only a playoff team, but one that could win a first-round series.

It’s taken almost a quarter of the season, but they’re now back above .500 and playing their best basketball of the season, coming off a three-game sweep of the eastern road trip, with victories over three other likely playoff teams: Charlotte, Boston and Atlanta.

And they’ve essentially done it without two of their best players from last season. Reggie Jackson is nearing a return from a tendinitis issue that has kept him…