Aussies in NBA: Baynes notches first double-double as a Piston
Aron Baynes continued his impressive run of good form by posting his first double-double of the season in a close 104-101 loss to the Denver Nuggets.
Seen as an overpay at the start of the season, Baynes has turned this perception of him around this month with his strong play.
Aron Baynes has been pretty good lately.
— A Lad Insane (@Cosmis) January 24, 2016
Aron Baynes has been the #Pistons best defender the last few games. By a landslide.
— Matt Dery (@dery1051) January 24, 2016
Against the Nuggets Baynes put up 13 points (6-of-7 shooting), 10 rebounds and 2 blocks in 30 minutes. He brought a physical presence at both ends of the court, best encapsulated by this impressive sequence:
BAYNES on both ends! pic.twitter.com/7Z38EcJNse
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) January 24, 2016
A few factors have contributed to Baynes’ dramatic form spike in January:
He has recovered from a variety of maladies,
Andre Drummond has been more foul prone of late, and
Drummond's historically bad free-throw shooting has opposing teams targeting him with a Hack-A strategy.
All three of these element came into play today against the Nuggets.
Drummond got into foul trouble early giving early minutes to Baynes, then down the stretch with Hack-A-Drummond looming in a tight contest, Van Gundy went with the form and shooting of Baynes.
It amounted to a season high in minutes and what was likely Baynes' best all-round performance as a Piston.
In the month of January, Baynes is averaging 8.6 points, 5.7 rebounds in 16.6 minutes, while shooting 60% FG and 84%FT.
Watch all the highlights from Baynes' game against the Nuggets:
https://youtu.be/u-QZumU0cqo