( CNN ) -- The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 83-79 in game seven of the NBA finals in L.A. on Thursday night , to claim back-to-back championships and the team 's 16th title in the world 's most prestigious basketball competition . The win also marked a fifth individual NBA title for L.A playmaker Kobe Bryant , equaling a record set by retired Lakers player Magic Johnson who ran on to the court to congratulate the guard at the end of the game . `` This was the hardest one by far . '' Bryant , who finished with 23 points but only 6 out of 24 on shooting , told the official Lakers website . `` I wanted it so bad and sometimes when you want it so bad , it slips away from you . My guys picked me up . '' The Lakers had to come behind from to take game seven , after the Celtics built up an early 13 point lead . However , the West Coast side edged ahead in the final quarter , thanks to two free throws from Sasha Vujacic which were enough to seal a win and for the side to take the series 4-3 . But it was veteran player Ron Artest who added 20 points to the Lakers overall score and Spanish forward Pau Gasol , with 19 points and 17 rebounds , who were the key to the Californian victory . `` I ca n't say enough about 'Spain ' . That guy 's unbelievable , a hell of a player - we would n't have won it without him , '' Bryant said . And Lakers coach Phil Jackson who now has 11 titles to his name , was full of praise for 30-year-old Artest . `` He was the most valuable player tonight . He brought life to our team , he brought life to the crowd , '' Jackson told his team 's official website . The last time the two rival sides met in the finals was in 2008 , when the Celtics beat the Lakers 4-2 . But Boston could not repeat their performance that saw them win a record-breaking 17th championship crown two years ago , despite high scoring from Paul Pierce on 18 and Kevin Garnett on 17 . The team were undoubtedly let down by a poor shooting night from star player Rajon Rondo who finished with just 14 , and the absence of Kendrick Perkins , who was injured in game 6 . `` Well there 's a lot of crying in our locker room , a lot of people who care . I do n't think there was a dry eye . A lot of hugs , a lot of people feeling awful , '' Celtics coach Doc Rives , whose team had two chances to win the series after leading going into game 6 , told the official NBA website . `` It was the craziest , most emotional group I 've ever coached in my life . They made me reach to places that I never thought I needed to go so that 's what makes this loss tough . '' The teams had met in 11 previous finals , but it is only the third time that the Lakers have beat the Celtics to take the NBA title .
Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 83-79 in game seven of the NBA finals . L.A won back-to-back championships and their 16th ever title . Kobe Bryant secured his fifth NBA title . Comment: