Mazzulla said what everyone should know about Jaylen Brown's latest step

Jaylen Brown has registered at least 30 points every time he has taken the floor in December. Friday night against the Indiana Pacers, that streak appeared to be in jeopardy.

The four-time All-Star was sitting on 24 points with 6:30 remaining in the final frame. With the Boston Celtics leading by 25, Brown's curtain call was coming. His replacement was already at the scorer's table.

Perhaps Joe Mazzulla would have given him the time necessary. However, the former Finals MVP worked efficiently to get the job done before the next stoppage in play. Brown casually buried back-to-back threes 32 seconds apart.

He ended Boston's fourth straight win with 30 points on 13/20 shooting [65 percent]. That includes going 2/3 from beyond the arc, with his two makes occurring when his streak needed them most. Brown also dished out four assists and swiped four steals in the Celtics' 140-122 victory.

Joe Mazzulla explains Jaylen Brown's evolution

Sunday, Boston's five-game road trip takes the team to Portland to face the Trail Blazers. If the former All-NBA Second Team selection registers at least 30 points for the eighth time in a row, he will tie Larry Bird's franchise record.

After the Celtics beat the Pacers for the second straight game, Joe Mazzulla discussed the growth that has led to Brown's production.

"To me, it's just balance, shared Mazzulla, via Celtics Postgame Live. "He picks and chooses his spots really well. We're obviously playing a little bit faster, so he's getting some easy baskets in transition. I think he's finding a great balance of knowing when to score within the offense versus letting the guys kind of do their thing, which I think is kind of helping him rest a little bit. And then, he spends a ton of time on reading the game and the execution of the game. And obviously, he's very, very talented; that has a lot to do with it. I think his desire to continue to work and play versus different coverages has really helped, and then his ability to pick and choose his spots really well."

Brown has made one of his most significant career leaps this season. He is finally getting his chance to shoulder more responsibility. What he has done with that is place himself on NBA.com's MVP ladder.

Achieving this type of growth a decade into one's career is rare, especially in a profession that places a premium on physical and athletic gifts. Yet the Marietta, Georgia, native is generating 29.4 points per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field. He is also distributing 4.9 assists per contest. Brown is a rising tide that lifts all boats.

"A top player in this NBA," said Payton Pritchard after Boston's win at Indiana. "Should be in the MVP conversation, for sure. And he shows it every night."

Brown's evolution is one of the factors at the heart of why the Celtics are defying expectations and are third in the East with a 19-11 record, and wondering how far they can go if Jayson Tatum rejoins the fold this season.