Final Score: LA Lakers 83, Boston 79

Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Kobe Bryant and the Lakers looked half- asleep at times during their most important game of the season, but in the end it was their suffocating defense that propelled them to a 83-79 Game 7 win over the Boston Celtics to capture their 16th NBA championship and second in a row. Bryant captured his fifth title despite going 6-of-24 from the field for just 23 points, as the Lakers used their length to win the rebounding battle by a sizeable 53-40 margin. He also added 15 rebounds, while Pau Gasol provided a huge presence inside with 19 points and 18 boards. Ron Artest added 20 points in the win. Boston held the lead for a majority of the game, but Los Angeles outscored the Celtics, 30-22, in a decisive fourth quarter, including 10 points from Bryant. Historically, the Celtics had dominated the Lakers in the NBA Finals coming into this matchup, winning nine of the previous 11 series, including 4-of-4 Game 7s. Los Angeles, though, exacted some revenge for its 2008 loss to Boston and handed head coach Phil Jackson his 11th championship -- extending a record. Paul Pierce led a balanced Boston attack with 18 points, but the Celtics didn't have enough firepower despite a heroic defensive effort for the first three quarters. Pierce also added 10 rebounds, although the C's clearly missed their center in Kendrick Perkins, who sat out the game after spraining his knee in Game 6. Rasheed Wallace, who started in his place, finished with 11 points and eight rebounds. Kevin Garnett added 17 points, while Ray Allen struggled with only 13 on 3-of-14 shooting, as Boston failed in its attempt to win its second title in three years.

06/18 00:34:08 ET