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By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer

Ouch.  What else can you say after watching the Celtics fail their three game test against three of the best teams in the NBA.  The Celts lost to the Magic, Hawks and Lakers in a span of four days.  Last week I wrote about the 5 questions the Celtics must answer in the second half of the season.  If these three games are an indication of how they are going to be answered, it’s not going to be a fun ride for Celtics fans.

On Thursday night in Orlando the Celtics were great for three quarters.  They led by 16 at one point before giving it all away in the 4^th Quarter as they lost by 2.  The Celtics flat out ran out of steam.   A similar thing happened Sunday against the Lakers.  After a bad 1^st Quarter the Celtics took a 5 point lead into halftime and led by 11 in the 4^th Quarter.  But the Lakers hung around and stole this game from the Celtics.

Friday night was a little different as the Hawks were in control for most of the night.  Boston jumped out early but Atlanta ended the 1^st Quarter up 1 and led by 12 at halftime.  The Celts made it a 1 point game heading into the 4^th before the Hawks pulled away in the 4^th to win by 9.  It was different but it was also all too familiar.  The Hawks swept the season series with the Celtics 4-0, and now will have great confidence if the two teams match up in the playoffs.

The Celtics may be showing their age.  This is a veteran team that has dealt with its fair share of injuries so far this season.  To win in the NBA you have to play a full 48 minutes of tough basketball, not 36 or 40.  Kevin Garnett hasn’t looked like himself since returning from injury.  He had only 10 points and 9 rebounds against the Lakers and was exposed at times on defense by Andew Bynum and Pau Gasol.  Ray Allen was 0-6 from three point land and Paul Pierce scored just 15 points.  Rajon Rondo, who is heading to his first All Star Game, was the best Celtic on Sunday scoring 21 points and dishing out 12 assists.  But he’s not part of the age problem.  Rondo will be 24 in February.

Is it time to panic?  Definitely a fair question after this 3 game stretch, but the answer is no.  Remember, the playoffs are a totally different animal compared to the regular season.  There are no back-to-back games and often times there are at least two days off in between games.  This bodes well for the Celtics.  However, Danny Ainge still needs to consider making a move.  Bringing in some younger legs would be the way to go.  Knicks guard Nate Robinson has been a name floating around.

The Celtics are now in 4^th in the East.   With 37 games to go we may look back at these three losses being a turning point for the Celtics.  The question is, will this be seen as the three game losing streak that energized and motivated the team going forward or is it the beginning of the end?

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