With their backs against the wall, the Los Angeles Lakers did what they had to do, beating the Boston Celtics 89-67 to send their NBA Finals series to a decisive seventh game.

The Lakers took the lead from the first quarter and never looked back. They out hustled the Celtics on both ends of the floor.

Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 26 points, while Pau Gasol scored 17 points with 13 rebounds and nine assists. The Celtics were top scored by Ray Allen with 19 points.

The Celtics lost Kendrick Perkins with over five minutes remaining in the first quarter. He injured his knee during a collision where he got sandwiched by Andrew Bynum and Bryant. His absence on the floor was reflected in the box scores as the Lakers dominated the Celtics in rebounds, 52-39.

When asked about Perkins’ injury, coach Doc Rivers said “"I don't know. It doesn't look great, but I don't know.”

The Lakers have injury concerns as well. The team’s center Andrew Bynum has been slugging it out with knee problems for the rest of the series and his condition is always day to day.

“He wasn't able to move very fluidly in the second half,” said coach Phil Jackson about their 7-foot starting center. “He had some tightness in the back of his leg. He said, ‘You’ve got take me out. I can't run.’”

Kevin Garnett, the Celtics power forward, was limited to 12 points and six rebounds. And Ron Artest played his best offensive game of the series with 15 points, including two three pointers in the first quarter.

The decisive game seven is set to be played on Thursday at the Staples Center.