Catholic Leaders Catch NBA Betting Bug

Two American Catholic leaders have joined millions of other people placing wagers on the result of the 2009 NBA Finals.

Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony and Orlando Bishop Thomas Wenski have agreed on a friendly bet on the outcome of the best-of-seven series between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic, the Associated Press reported last week.

Mahony bet a case of Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels-labeled wines in the event of a Lakers loss, while Wenski has offered three key lime pies, Florida's official state pie, four pounds of fresh shrimp and a bottle of oxygen.

Wenski said the bottle of oxygen was thrown in as an extra because of the pollution problems in Los Angeles.

With two games down in the series, Wenski and the bookmakers will be praying Orlando turns things around when the series moves to Florida.

The Kobe Bryant-led Lakers have firmed to even shorter odds following their victories, with UK-based bookmaker Ladbrokes now offering 1.20 odds on a Lakers championship, compared to 4.50 for Orlando.

Game three takes place Tuesday night.