Los Angeles, CA (Best E Casino) - The Boston Celtics took the court for Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night with point guard Rajon Rondo, but without center Kendrick Perkins.

Perkins sat on the sidelines with a left shoulder strain. He left in the third quarter of Thursday's 97-91 comeback victory after colliding with the Lakers' Lamar Odom while trying to block a shot.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Saturday that both Perkins and Rondo would start in Game 5 despite injuries. He was right about Rondo, who did play despite a bone bruise in his left ankle that limited to him just 17 minutes Thursday night when the Celtics rallied from a 24-point deficit.

The Celtics head into Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers with a 3-1 series lead and are on the verge of winning their 17th championship, and first since 1986.