NBA Playoffs 2012: Celtics Will Tighten Hold on Sixers in Game 4

The Celtics stomped the Sixers by 16 in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup, and it could have been a lot worse.

Boston's defense was stifling, Rajon Rondo was playing like himself and Kevin Garnett was playing like the early-2000s version of himself.

The Celtics are ready to take the Sixers by storm. Winning a game away from home could be the only advantage they need as they enter the second Philadelphia home game.

Let's take a look at why the Celtics will win Game 4, and win this series.

Defense

The Celtics were the No. 2 scoring defense in the regular season. 

Boston overwhelms opponents with stifling man-to-man defense. Every player on the floor plays with a high motor, and their bench players bring the same intensity in their limited minutes. 

The Sixers' youth cannot handle Boston's pressure, especially without a go-to presence on the offensive end. 

Boston is not athletic enough to run with any team left, but their defense allows them to slow the game down. This neutralizes Philadelphia's athleticism, youth and open-court ability.

The Celtics use their defensive prowess to control the pace of the game. When they force teams to play at their tempo, Boston becomes incredibly difficult to beat.

Rajon Rondo

Rondo is the only legitimate triple-double threat in the NBA.

His blazing speed and ability to probe a defense in all the right places causes an inordinate amount of stress, even on good defenses like Philadelphia. 

This section could really be titled offense, but Rondo is essentially the same thing.

Boston's age minimizes their athleticism, so Rondo is relied upon to open up the defense and create open looks for his aging teammates.

When Rondo goes, Boston goes. And he happens to be going at ultra-speed right now. 

Rondo's dynamic presence makes the entire Celtic roster better. He impacts both ends of the floor because of his uncanny nose for the basketball.

The Sixers have no answer for Rondo and no answer for a Celtic team taking advantage of their final chance to make a championship run.