Garnett

Before the Sacramento game, Garnett, 32, had played at least 37 minutes in four of the previous seven games. His minutes became a major concern for Rivers during the Celtics' first back-to-back losses of the season, to the Lakers and Warriors last week. In the 92-83 loss to Los Angeles on Christmas Day, Garnett had a solid game with 22 points and nine rebounds in 37 minutes. But the next night the fatigue factor set in, and he had just 14 points and four rebounds in 38 minutes in the 99-89 loss at Golden State.

--Marc J. Spears

1987itis is catchy. But unlike other colds Celtics' fans may contract this winter, we want Doc and the Celtics brass to catch this one. Once contracted, the malady reduces the temptation of running your starters into the ground to win silly games in January and February.

The Lakers game came and went. We lost. The only thing that matters the rest of the way is staying healthy, keeping the Big 3 rested, and building some sort of semblance of a bench, whether that means getting the current bench to elevate it's game or by shaking up the bench via a roster move or two.