BOSTON -- The Boston Celtics’ defense has been on a downward spiral lately, but they may get a much-needed boost with the possible return of Aron Baynes tomorrow night against the Toronto Raptors.
Out with a left fourth metacarpal fracture injury, Baynes is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game for the first time since suffering the injury in December.
Baynes, whose defensive rating a year ago (96.6) was tops in the NBA, has once again been among the league’s better defenders this season with a defensive rating this season of 97.3 which is tops in the NBA among players who have appeared in at least 25 games and average at least 14 minutes like Baynes.
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In those 25 games, Baynes has averaged 5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 32.4 percent from 3-point range.
Along with Baynes, Marcus Smart (illness) is also questionable for tomorrow night's game.
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Smart did not play in Boston’s 109-102 loss at Brooklyn on Monday.
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