EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — It's not as though they are afraid to tempt the fates of history, but the Boston Celtics would rather just complete their season's journey as soon as possible. Like today, at Staples Center, when they attempt to close out the Lakers in Game 5 of the NBA Finals and take the franchise's 18th title back home.

No team in the history of the NBA Finals ever has rebounded from a three games to one deficit, which is the hole the Lakers are in.

"We're starving," Celtics guard Eddie House said yesterday. "You wait your whole life for a moment like this. It's in our grasp. We just have to go and get it."

Collectively, the Celtics said they expect the Lakers to play like a team desperate to keep their season alive. In other words, nothing held back.

"But we're desperate too," Celtics starting point guard Rajon Rondo said. "Only two guys have won a championship on this team and the big three haven't won at all. So, I'm sure they're very desperate and the young guys, (like) myself, we're desperate. So, both teams will be desperate in Game 5."

Guard Sam Cassell, who won back-to-back championships his first two years in the league with the Houston Rockets, and James Posey, who won an NBA title two years ago with the Miami Heat, are the only Boston players with championship rings. The big three — forwards Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, and guard Ray Allen — all are playing in their first NBA Finals.

"Obviously Kevin, Ray and Paul are the three guys we talk about the most," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "And P.J. Brown should be in that group too, as far as I'm concerned. They've all played a long time for an opportunity."

One of the principle reasons why the Celtics want to finish off the Lakers when they have this chance, is because if the series extends it could swing into the Lakers' favor since Boston has health issues. Pierce suffered a strained knee in Game 1, which could require offseason surgery.

Pierce also rolled his ankle in Game 4.

Rondo has been slowed somewhat by a mildly sprained left ankle, and center Kendrick Perkins has had both ankle and shoulder problems in the series.

Plus, the Celtics already have played 25 postseason games, as opposed to 20 by the Lakers.

"Maybe that's why we have these little bumps and bruises," Rivers said. "I don't think our guys look at it in the volume. I know it's a cliche but they look at each individual game. So, they've been a pretty mentally tough team and we've been able to handle it."

Rivers said Perkins and Rondo will start Sunday night.

Boston's 24-point comeback in Game 4 ranks as the largest since at least 1971. But Rondo does not believe that historic win by the Celtics left the Lakers dispirited.

"No, not at all," he said. "I'm sure they don't feel like they're out of it. Their coach doesn't feel like they're out of the series. So, they're probably approaching this one game at a time and that's how we want to look at it, as well."