Jaylen Brown is convinced Payton Pritchard can establish himself as a key player for the Boston Celtics despite his struggles for game time this season.
The Celtics are in action on Sunday as they make the trip to Indiana Pacers and Boston can be backed at 5/17 in the Money Line, while the home side are 27/10.
Pritchard is in his second season with the Celtics after the team selected him with the 26th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Pritchard up the pecking order
The 24-year-old averaged 19 minutes-per-game in his rookie season, but has had to wait for his chances this year, averaging just 12 minutes in 50 appearances - with just two starts.
However, the departures of Dennis Schroder and Josh Richardson to Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs respectively before the trade deadline has pushed Pritchard up the pecking order.
Pritchard played for 27 minutes in the win over Detroit Pistons last time out, finishing with 19 points and six rebounds and Brown is convinced there is more to come from the second-year guard.
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"I talk to Payton all the time. It's a guy that's talented and wants to prove himself," said Brown, via NBC Sports.
"He got a lot of the chip on his shoulder that kind of reminded me of myself. So, you know, it was tough on him in stretches where he didn't play as much and things like that, but Payton got a great work ethic."
Mentality is key - Brown
"So I think that supersedes it all and he has a great mentality. That's half the battle. You just have the right mindset, you'll get your opportunity.
"It seems like Payton is getting his opportunity now and he's starting to make the right plays and really adds to winning. And that's most important for us."
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