Tue Jun 17 20:09:42 2008

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Rivers says Perkins, Allen to start Game 6

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Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said guard Ray Allen and center Kendrick Perkins will start tonight's Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Allen sat out the team's shootaround following his overnight flight from Los Angeles. He stayed behind in LA on Monday because his toddler son had medical tests due to an unspecified illness.

"He's going to be fine," Rivers said of Allen. "Obviously he hasn't had a lot of sleep over the last three days. He's ready, you can see it, he's ready to play."

Perkins left the Celtics' dramatic 97-91 comeback victory in Game 4 after suffering a strained left shoulder when trying to block a shot by the Lakers' Lamar Odom in the third quarter. The center was held out of Game 5, and his presence in the post was missed in Boston's 103-98 setback.

Boston, which holds a 3-2 series lead, can close out its 17th championship on its home floor tonight. It would mark the Celtics' first title since 1986.