BOSTON - The ability of the renowned Boston Celtics defense to limit the high-scoring Los Angeles Lakers is likely to decide the outcome of the NBA finals starting in Boston on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

Although Celtics coach Doc Rivers says his team will not change their overall defensive strategy for the best-of-7 series, he paid tribute on Wednesday to the all-round quality of the Lakers offense.

"They're a great offensive basketball team, the toughest we've played clearly in the playoffs," Rivers said. "They spread the floor and they have the best scorer on the planet (Kobe Bryant).

"With (Pau) Gasol and (Lamar) Odom posing problems with their size and quickness and their shooting that they put on the floor, it's a tough challenge for us defensively, there's no doubt about it.

"We're not going to change our defense," Rivers added. "Obviously you have to stay home more with Gasol, there's no doubt about that, because he not only is a great post player, he can shoot the ball as well, and so does Odom.

"That's part of what makes them so difficult, their ability to spread the floor with the fours and fives. Most teams spread it with their ones, twos and threes shooting."

Celtics forward Paul Pierce felt his team had the ability to adapt against the Lakers but that water-tight defense would remain their top priority.

"Our whole mindset is going to key in on being defensive-minded, keeping them out of transition," he said.

"They're a great transition team and they get a lot of opportunities, shooting a high percentage. So it's our job just to try to do a better job defensively.

"But we feel we can pretty much play any style, whether we want to slow it down and grind it out or get out on the open court and run."

Boston was the NBA's most successful team in the regular season, posting a win-loss record of 66-16 before clinching its first NBA championship appearance since 1987.