AUGUSTA (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci has invited the Boston Celtics to show off their championship trophy in Maine, as the Red Sox have done following World Series victories in 2004 and 2007.

It’s personal for Baldacci. He says he has followed the Celtics this season “with great enthusiasm.”

Baldacci spoke to Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck by phone Wednesday evening to extend congratulations on behalf of the state.

He says the Celtics have “acted in the true tradition of the Boston Celtics.”

The Celtics won their first championship in 22 years by trouncing the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Celtics were being honored Thursday with a rolling rally through downtown Boston.