The Los Angles Lakers rallied from a big early deficit to successfully defend their NBA championship title with a scintilating 83-79 Game Seven victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

The triumph earned the Lakers franchise a 16th championship and a record 11th for coach Phil Jackson as they also became the first team to repeat as NBA champions since winning three in a row from 2000.

After dropping two of three games in Boston, the Lakers returned to Staples Center facing a series defeat for the first time this post season.

The resilient Lakers dominated the Celtics in an 89-67 Game Six victory to set up the decisive seventh game between two of the league's most fiercest rivals.

However, Los Angeles got off to a slow start in a decider played in front of a capacity crowd at Staples Center that included Hollywood stars like Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman and Leonardo DiCaprio.

The Lakers, who trailed by as many as 13 points, picked up their game in the closing minutes and grabbed their first lead since the second quarter on a pair of Kobe Bryant free throws.

Bryant, who was named the NBA Finals MVP, had a team high 23 points while Ron Artest, playing in his first season with the Lakers, followed with 20 points.