Boston Celtics: Why the Celtics Need to Rest the Big 3 Down the Stretch

Kevin Garnett and his Boston Celtics have been red-hot since the All-Star break, going 19-7 since.

Yet perhaps giving the Big Three an overload of playing time is not the answer for this basketball team with just eight games remaining in the regular season.

In spite of boasting the most wins since the All-Star break, the Celtics will need Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen all at full strength when the 2012 NBA playoffs begin.

The Celtics have not only been winning games as of late, they have beaten teams that will be in the playoffs in the East. Over the team's four-game win streak, the team has taken down the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and most recently, the Atlanta Hawks.

These wins are undoubtedly important for the confidence of this team heading into the postseason, as there have been countless times early on in the season where this team looked like they failed to stand a chance.

With eight games remaining on the team's schedule, however, it will important that Pierce and the core three are rested for the postseason.

As a team that will have to go through both the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls in hopes to make the NBA Finals, it will be integral that this team receives the proper rest heading into the postseason.

There is no doubt the Celtics can beat one of these two teams, yet beating both will take a injury-free, especially well-rested group to say the least.

That by no means that this team should tank games, or play to lose by any means. The Celtics still face the Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks to close out the season, as getting wins in these games will be important for the team's morale.

Yet there is no doubt the Big Three should never be playing more than 30-32 minutes in these games. When it's all said and done, it's the postseason that matters, not the regular season. This Celtics squad will defined by its playoff success, not the outcome of its final eight games.

With a healthy Celtics team, there is no question the Big Three could be looking at another deep playoff run in 2012.