It appears Jaylen Brown has figured it out.
Over the last five games, he is shooting 50.8 percent from the floor and is 11 for 22 from deep, all while averaging 16.3 points a night. This includes 22-point performance (his second in as many games) against the Kings on Thursday, when he went 9 for 16 from the floor and drilled 3 of his 4 three-point attempts.
Brown has been unconscious — and it’s all coming within the flow of the offense. Things finally seem to be clicking for the wing.
But his strong play isn’t limited to the offensive side of the ball, as much as Brad Stevens was quick to praise Brown’s scoring when addressing reporters after Thursday’s win.
Jaylen and Gordon [Hayward] both coming off the bench can get to the line and do physical attacks to the basket. Jaylen did that in the first half at a high, high level and then saw the ball go through the net at the rim and then made all those threes in the second [half].
Stevens also explained Brown’s defense elevates the Celtics’ efficiency on the court. Being able to cover the top wings in the league, Brown allows Stevens to tinker with different groups on the floor.
When we bring him in and play him and take [Marcus] Smart out, he can guard the guy Smart’s been guarding. If we leave Smart in, we can move Smart to a ball-handler and pressure a little bit more, like we did there in the fourth quarter. Those are good pairings and Jaylen’s aggressiveness off the bench has been good ever since he’s gotten used to it.
He and Gordon Hayward are getting hot at the right time and may be exactly what Boston needs to make a postseason push.
