NBA Playoffs 2012: Boston Celtics Hold Mental Edge over Miami Heat

After fighting for their lives in the first two games, the Boston Celtics have finally found themselves. The Celtics have not only crawled out a two-game-hole against the Miami Heat, but have now gained the overall edge in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Heat started hot with their Game 1 blowout win against the Celtics, and survived a 44-point performance from Rajon Rondo giving them a 2-0 series lead. However, all that confidence and momentum came to a screeching halt when they arrived in Boston for the next two games.

As expected, the Celtics prevailed in Game 3, giving Miami all they could handle. In Game 4, both teams showed up and scrapped until the final buzzer, but Boston came out on top evening the series at two games a piece.

The Boston Celtics are an aging unit, racing against father time. However, not many teams in the NBA are as mentally tough as Doc Rivers' team.

Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have always been strong leaders, even before their days together as Celtics. But the turning point for the Boston Celtics came in Game 2.

With Pierce fouling out, and the rest of Boston's offense struggling down the stretch, Rajon Rondo took on the challenge of carrying the Celtics. Rondo has been questioned all his career as a pass-first point guard if he could handle the scoring load if necessary. Rondo didn't back down from Miami or the challenge at hand as he kept Boston in the entire game.

The Celtics fell short in Game 2, but Rondo and his team felt the sense of urgency heading back to their home floor.

Rondo called out Miami at halftime of Game 4, showing they weren't afraid of the powerful Miami Heat. After tying the series at two games, Boston has put themselves in the driver's seat mentally. That now puts Miami in a position where they are at their worst, with their backs against the wall.

The Heat are at their best when they are blowing out their opponents, or piling on a slight lead. Since assembling the Big Three together in South Beach, Miami continuously find themselves in a bind attempting to close out games. LeBron James continues to struggle late in games, and Dwyane Wade isn't the vintage closer he used to be.

After two bad losses, Miami is in a do-or-die Game 5 situation. The Heat are showing signs of desperation with the possibility of activating Chris Bosh tonight. Bosh is far less than 100 percent after his abdominal strain, and not tough enough to handle Boston's front court even if healthy. It's also hard to believe Bosh will be active in Miami's game plan after the injury.

Miami did find a way to come back against the Indiana Pacers after facing a 2-1 deficit in the semi-finals. LeBron and Wade powered past Indiana the rest of the series, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, the Boston Celtics are a much better and tougher opponent for Miami. If the Heat find themselves in a hole against Boston, they could be on the outside looking in during the NBA Finals.

All hope is not lost for Miami as they head home for Game 5, but Boston should be favored, even on the road. Ray Allen seems to have his shot back, plus Rondo and Garnett have lead Boston strong this whole series. If Paul Pierce doesn't foul out, and Boston gets the same production from role players like Marquis Daniels, Keyon Dooling and Brandon Bass, Boston could be back on the championship hunt.