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.

Game Recap | Fans Arrested | Parade Route Map

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.

"Anything's possible!" Celtics player Kevin Garnett shouted to the raucous rooftop of the Garden after the game as confetti showered down around him.

"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," Garnett said.

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 in to 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 23 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.

They said one man, identified as David Woodman, 22, of Southwick, Mass., appeared to be drinking alcohol from an open container near the Brookline-Fenway area but when they stopped to question him he tried to flee, then struggled with officers. As they attempted to subdue him, police said, officers realized he was in medical distress. He was taken to Beth Israel Medical Center where he was listed in critical but stable condition.

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. 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.

As dawn crept over the city, many fans wasted no time rushing out to buy Celtics t-shirts and baseball caps emblazoned with the team's championship logos. One local factory, R.C. Silk, worked overnight to print the NBA champ t-shirts. Stores were ringing up sales for lines of happy customers.

"We went from 'Beat L.A.' to 'We Beat L.A. I mean, this city is, forget about it. I didn't get any sleep. It's unbelieveable. The fans ... it just brings the whole city together," said Modell's Sporting Goods store owner Mitch Modell.

"I knew it was going to be a blowout, but the intensity was just incredible," a customer said.

"The last time I saw them win was when my father was still alive and it was the last big game we had, so it's kind of cool to see it now again, after all these years," said fan Hugh Long.

"This is for the guys who've been here forever. And for Danny Ainge. It's his redemption," said fan Erin Williams.

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.

"I urge everyone to come down and responsibly celebrate this historic victory. This will be a great, great day in the city of Boston. Let's match the Celtics excellence on the court with a fun and safe celebration that appreciates the championship city that we are," Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said.

The Celtics will board duck boats for the parade, which will start at 11 a.m.

The parade will start on Causeway Street in front of the TD Banknorth Garden, where Celtics players, coaching staff and family will board Duck boats, heading up Staniford Street, turning left onto Cambridge Street, then onto Tremont, before turning right onto Boylston Street and ending at Copley Square. Large televisions will be set up in the Boston Common and Copley Square.

The streets along the route above will be closed to general traffic beginning at 9:30 a.m. and for the duration of the parade. Plus, “Tow Zone, No Stopping, Boston Police Special Event – Thursday,” signs will be posted along New Chardon (entire); State Street, from Congress to Washington; and Court Street, from Washington to Tremont. Boylston Street from Dartmouth to Gloucester will be used for staging purposes.

As a special tribute the city's Old North Church will shine two lighted lanterns from its steeple during the Celtics' victory celebration. The lanterns will be displayed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and should be clearly visible from City Hall Plaza.

NewsCenter 5 and The Boston Channel.com will carry the parade festivities LIVE on the air and online Thursday, June 19.