Boston Celtics: Is Age Finally Starting To Catch Up to Kevin Garnett and Co.?

The East-leading Boston Celtics (50-19) have been struggling to play consistently on both ends of the floor, going 4-4 in their last eight games. In their most recent victory, the Celtics held off the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in a heated, physical game, outscoring them by 24 points in the second half.

Despite currently holding a two-game win streak, the Celtics could easily be losers of three consecutive games and winners of just two of their last eight.

In their two-game win streak, the Celtics have had two comeback wins. In contests against the Knicks and New Orleans Hornets, the Celtics overcame double-digit leads, losing by as many as 15 points in each game.

So the questions then begins to linger about the surface: Is the sluggish, inconsistent play coming as a result of an aging Big Three?

Both yes and no.

Here's why not.

The C's level as play has taken a hit since making the acquisition for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. The Celtics rotation now features five new players—Green, Krstic, Carlos Arroyo, Sasha Pavlovic and Troy Murphy—all trying to find their roles with the team.

Placing five new players into the rotation and the Celtics' overall game plan has been a difficult task for head coach Doc Rivers, as it would be for any head coach. The Miami Heat and New York Knicks are prime examples of how drastic roster changes can lead to struggles, as the Heat started out 9-8 while the Knicks are winners of just one of their last seven.

With a vast roster change, a team can expect an adjustment period of anywhere from a couple of games to a couple of weeks or even months to get things going.

Not to mention, it's not like the Celtics have been losing many games. The C's are still 9-4 since Kendrick Perkins was dealt to the Thunder in exchange for Green and Krstic.

Aging has also taken a toll on the C's as of late, but not performance wise.

The Big Three have been putting up some of their best numbers in their fourth season together in Boston, so production is not what has taken a hit.

In their recent games, Rivers has given less minutes to starters, and it has left the Celtics in tough situations, having to come back from two double-digit second-half deficits.

In their last four games, Pierce has played just 28 minutes twice. In the two games he played over 30 minutes, it came as a result of Rivers and company needing comeback wins in the second half against the Hornets and Knicks.

In those two games where Pierce played 28 minutes, Garnett played 25 and 22 minutes. Allen's minutes have also gone down, logging 27 and 26 minutes in those two games.

The idea is that Rivers wants his Big Three rested for the postseason. It is because of their aging that Rivers understands the importance of rest heading into the final weeks of the season. To give the three starters many minutes in the final 13 games would be a thoughtless move on Rivers' part.

Essentially, aging has not been "catching up" with the Celtics, but more so an inevitable factor that hurts the C's towards the end of the season. Ultimately, Rivers knows that without the Big Three healthy, the Celtics will not stand a chance, and in turn they need the fresh legs. As a result Allen, Garnett and Pierce are seeing less playing time, and the Celtics are finding a more difficult time winning ball games.

Fresh off a 15-point comeback victory against the Knicks, the Celtics are showing they are still playing hard in hopes of holding on to the number one seed in the East.

Pierce had 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting, scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter that helped erase a nine-point Knicks lead with eight minutes remaining. Garnett chipped in 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Allen, banged up from a blow to the eye earlier in the game, finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.

Rivers has cut down on their playing time, and as a result, the C's may not hold on to the East's best record. Yet, come playoff time, Rivers fully expects the three to produce and win basketball games.

The production is still there from the C's Big Three, and arguably even more so than it was last season. Age will be an inevitable, lingering factor every season, but is not as much a factor as may be perceived.