Photos of a hobbled Perkins & the rest of the Celtics leaving for practice in LA

As the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers look ahead to their Game 7 collision, both teams are using this off day to prepare for Thursday's epic do or die contest.

Wednesday, at approximately 12:30 PM PT, the Celtics boarded a chartered bus outside of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.  This property has been the team's hotel of choice for both of their trips to Los Angeles during the NBA Finals. The Celtics were dressed in their practice gear as they headed for Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles.

The most striking scene of the day was the sight of center Kendrick Perkins in crutches (pictured upper right and below).  Perkins has been diagnosed with torn MCL and PCL ligaments in his right knee.  As a result, he will miss the deciding game of the series.  This is a major blow to the Celtics because of the strong inside play of Lakers' forward Pau Gasol and the potential threat of often injured center Andrew Bynum.

The Celtics were all business as they climbed aboard the bus. Coach Doc Rivers, new Chicago Bulls' coach Tom Thibodeau, small forward Paul Pierce, power forward Kevin Garnett (all pictured below) are among a core group of Celtics seeking their second NBA Championship in three seasons.

Thursday night is shaping up to be one for the ages.  The game tips off at 9 ET/6 PT on ABC.