(Sports Network) - The Boston Celtics attempt to capture their 17th championship in franchise history, as they battle the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at the Staples Center in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Boston used its defense to generate one of the greatest comebacks in playoff history, as Paul Pierce scored 20 points and the Celtics rallied from a 24- point first-half deficit to beat the Lakers, 97-91, on Thursday in Game 4 of the best-of-seven series. The Celtics' defense locked down on Kobe Bryant and outscored the Lakers, 57-33 in the second half to take a 3-1 lead in the set.

Kevin Garnett added 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics, while Ray Allen finished with 19 points and nine rebounds in the victory. James Posey scored 18, which included a big three-pointer in the final two minutes of the contest.

Bryant was limited to 17 points and 10 assists on 6-of-19 from the field for the Lakers, who were ahead by 20 halfway through the third before collapsing and watching their 15-game home winning streak come to a crashing halt. The Lakers suffered their first home defeat since March 28 to Memphis.

Lamar Odom finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who also got 17 points and 10 boards from Pau Gasol. Derek Fisher scored 13 and Vladimir Radmanovic netted 10 in defeat.

On the injury front for Boston, center Kendrick Perkins (strained right shoulder) is questionable for tonight's contest, while point guard Rajon Rondo (sore left ankle) is probable. Perkins is averaging 6.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in the playoffs.

The last time the Lakers were eliminated at home in the NBA Finals was in 1991, when they lost Game 5 and the series, 4-1, to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

Boston is trying to win its first title since 1986. The last time the Celtics won a championship on the road was in 1981 when they defeated the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the finals.

The Celtics captured Games 1 and 2 of this series at TD Banknorth Garden, while LA made it a 2-1 series with an 87-81 victory in Game 3 at the Staples Center.

If necessary, Game 6 is scheduled for Tuesday evening in Boston. If the set goes to a seventh game, the Celtics would also host that contest.

The Lakers, who have lost six of their last seven games in the NBA Finals, are 9-1 at home and 4-5 as the visitor in the 2008 playoffs.

No team has ever comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals. Teams that take a 3-1 lead in the championship round are a perfect 28-0 in the NBA's championship round. Only three teams have ever comeback to win the NBA Finals after dropping Games 1 and 2. The 1969 Celtics, 1977 Trail Blazers and 2006 Heat all won the title after losing the first two contests.

Boston is 7-0 all-time when it wins the first two games in the NBA Finals, while the Lakers are 0-5 when they lose Games 1 and 2.

This is the 11th time these storied franchises will square off in the championship round. Boston has won eight of the 10 previous matchups in the finals. The Celtics defeated the Lakers in 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 and 1984. However, LA has won the last two meetings as it beat Boston in six games in 1985 and 1987.

Boston, which was the top seed in the Eastern Conference, is appearing in the NBA Finals for the 20th time and has won 16 titles.

The Celtics are 12-1 at home and 3-8 on the road in this year's playoffs.

The Lakers, who were the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, are appearing in the NBA Finals for the 23rd time since moving from Minneapolis to Los Angeles in 1961. LA is 9-13 in the championship round and has an overall record of 59-67 in games played in the NBA Finals.

It is the 29th time in franchise history the Lakers have made it to the championship round, as they were 5-1 in this round as the Minneapolis Lakers.