Aron Baynes available to return for Celtics vs. Raptors, Brad Stevens says

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BOSTON -- Aron Baynes will be back in the Boston Celtics lineup at some point tonight as they take on the Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors.

How much will Baynes play remains a mystery, even to head coach Brad Stevens. 

“He’s going to be available tonight,” Stevens said on 98.5 The Sports Hub's "Zolak and Bertrand" show. “I don’t know if spot minutes; I don’t know if I’m going to get to the TD Garden and there’s going to be a minutes restriction on him. But I think that we’ll see Aron at some point tonight (on the floor) which is good.”

Baynes has missed the last 13 games for the Celtics with a left fourth metacarpal fracture. 

While the Celtics center averages 14 minutes per game, his impact when not in the lineup has been felt in several games. 

A year ago, Baynes had the best defensive rating in the NBA (96.6).

New season, same old Baynes. 

Having appeared in 25 games this season, Baynes’ defensive rating of 97.3 is also tops in the NBA among players who have appeared in as many games while playing at least 14 minutes per outing. 

In addition to his defense, Baynes has also averaged 5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while connecting on 45.2 percent of his shots from the field and 32.4 percent of his 3-point attempts. 

Stevens is eager to get Baynes back on the floor, if for no other reason than it’ll stop him from pestering the coaching staff and medical staff about returning to action. 

“Glad to have him back. He’s getting a little restless,” Stevens said. “You guys would love him. He’s a loud, fun, vibrant, always brings the life to the party kind of guy. But when he’s out for a couple of weeks, he’s wearing on everybody because he wants to play so bad. He’s asking every minute of everyday, can he get checked up on again? Can he be in the game? It’s a good kind of wear. We can’t wait to have him back, that’s for sure.”

In addition to Baynes, the Celtics will also have Kyrie Irving (right quadriceps) and Marcus Smart (illness) back in the fold after both were out for Boston’s 109-102 loss at Brooklyn on Monday. 

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