Aron Baynes had his first double-double (13 points and rebounds) of the season in the Celtics 114-112 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday. He also played a season-high 33 minutes.
Baynes also made contributions on the defensive end. However, most notable amongst his contributions was his impact on Kyrie Irving’s performance. Boston’s star guard told reporters just how important the big man is to his personal game.
I think it helps just having a big body out there. Well, multiple big bodies, with Al and then Baynes setting screens. I know I have a great chance of getting open and he does a great job of setting them. So I rely I on him a lot when he’s out there playing. And big dog guards the house, so we need that.
When discussing Baynes’ presence in the paint, most of his teammates and Brad Stevens are usually referring to the defensive end. While Irving spoke on that Friday, as well, he made it a point to explain how Baynes can alter things in the key on the offensive end, too.
[The Pacers] do a great job of mucking up the game, being in the paint. Myles [Turner] does a great job of coming over and contesting a lot of shots, but Baynes was in the middle of the paint tonight, so it was hard for him to come over and commit to a few of our layups, which enabled me to get a few easy ones where he sealed Myles. He did a great job tonight, just playing with that pace and that physicality to match theirs.
If Baynes has this much of an impact on Irving’s play — who scored 30 on 11 of 22 shooting and had five assists — then there may be more 30-plus minute nights in his future.
