Baynes steps it up for Boston
BASKETBALL: Aron Baynes produced one of his finest games as the Boston Celtics slayed Ben Simmons’ Philadelphia 76ers in their NBA semifinal playoff yesterday.
Now the burly Australian centre gets to battle it out with LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers for a place in the NBA Finals series.
“Amazing” is how Celtics’ veteran Al Horford described the often unsung Baynes’ performance in yesterday’s 114-112 thriller in Boston that clinched a 4-1 eastern conference semi-finals series win over the 76ers.
It was a frantic game five, with the lead changing multiple times in the final quarter and Baynes and fellow Australian Simmons going head-tohead in battles around the basket. A key play came with just 10 seconds to go with the Celtics up 111-109 as the 76ers gave the ball to their 213cm, 113kg All-Star centre Joel Embiid.
The only person standing in Embiid’s way was 208cm, 118kg Baynes.
Embiid attempted to muscle Baynes out of the way but the Australian held his ground. Celtics guard Terry Rosier swooped, knocked the ball and it touched Embiid before going out of bounds.
The final play had Simmons, with 2.4 seconds left, throwing a Hail Mary pass the full length of the court but it was intercepted by the Celtics.
“The feeling right now is I don’t want to be done,” said a disappointed Simmons, whose lack of confidence shooting from medium and long distance was exposed by the Celtics.
The 76ers entered the playoffs with a 16-game winning streak and high expectations, but the Celtics shook off injuries to players including Australian-born All-Star Kyrie Irving to win the first three games and then close it out on their home court.
Baynes had 13 points, including one three-pointer, and nine rebounds.