BOSTON -- For long-suffering but loyal Boston basketball fans, victory was never in doubt, it was always just a question of when the winningest team in NBA history would come roaring back to glory.

The Celtics finally made those dreams come true Tuesday night, winning the franchise's 17th championship banner to the delight of thousands of jubilant fans.

"I can't express how I feel ... we are champions. I feel so good. I'm happy we won and happy to be representing the city of Boston and the state of Massachusetts," player Kevin Garnett said after the game.

It took six games, but in a fantastic romp at the TD Bank North Garden, the Celtics blasted the Los Angeles Lakers' title hopes with a decisive 131-92 win.

Celtics captain Paul Pierce hooted and howled as he hoisted the championship trophy aloft after dumping gatorade on Celtics coach Doc Rivers. The winner of the Larry O'Brien MVP trophy said the title victory was all the sweeter because of all the work that went into winning it.

"Ten long years being a Boston Celtic, just going through my ups and downs. Danny, Doc, the ownership guys sticking with me through tough times. This is what makes those other moments so sweet, knowing you were at rock bottom a year ago today and to climb all the way to the top," Pierce said.

Kevin Garnett dropped to the Garden's parquet floor center court and kissed the team's mascot, Lucky the Leprechaun, and then hugged Bill Russell, the former Celtics player and coach who led the team to multiple past championships.

"Back On Top," and "Garden Party," the newspaper headlines screamed as a city which hasn't seen an NBA championship in more than 20 years celebrated their team's hard-earned championship.

Police said about 14 people were arrested, most for disorderly conduct, as thousands of excited fans streamed out of the Garden after midnight, some climbing poles, others smashing windows near Canal Street. Scores of officers armed with riot geer kept the crowds moving, but officers said most were well-behaved.

The Celtics' won by 39 points, a victory that passed the NBA's record for the biggest point margin in a championship game win. For Pierce, Garnett and Allen, the powerhouse trio brought together last summer by Celtics manager and 1986 title-winning team member Danny Ainge, each game throughout the season demonstrated what big league players can do when they put ego aside and play as a team.

The final game and the entire Celtics season were a textbook example of teamwork. There was just a lot of hard work and a consistent method of relying on each other to make one successful play after another. Coach Doc Rivers borrowed the African word "Ubunto" to describe the team motto, "I am, because we are."

Ainge said every member of the team contributed during the grueling season, including the rookies.

"I was extremely happy with our young guys because ... I'm not sure anyone understands the pressure that a 21-year-old point guard and a 22-year-old center have to lift these future hall-of-famers to a championship and they more than held their own throughout the playoffs," Ainge said.

The city is planning a victory parade for the team on Thursday, the Hub's sixth championship parade since 2002, including the fetes held for the Patriots and the Red Sox. A rolling rally was held for the Red Sox after their World Series win in October 2007.

The Celtics' parade will start at 11 a.m. the Boston Garden and travel down Causeway Street to Tremont, Cambridge and Boylston streets, ending at Copley Square.