Heat is on: US archbishops in NBA bet

Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Miami, Thomas Wenski, smiles during a news conference Wednesday, June 4, 2014, in which he announced a wager between himself and Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Gustavo Garcia-Siller on the outcome of the NBA championship between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. Wenski wagered Key Lime pie, Cuban coffee and coffee maker, a bushel of oranges and grapefruit and a donation to the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio if the Heat lose. AP

MIAMI — The archbishops of Miami and San Antonio — US cities that are NBA championship rivals — have made their bets, and both are praying hard for a win.

Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski said Wednesday he had contacted his San Antonio counterpart Gustavo Garica-Sillerto to offer a “friendly wager” of key lime pie — a Florida specialty from Key West — and Cuban-style coffee.

Standing beside an oversized picture of Heat star LeBron James, Wenski said he was also including in his bet oranges, grapefruit and a donation to Catholic charities in Texas.

He said Garcia-Siller has offered a wager of his own, with some Texas delicacies.

“Go Heat!” Wenski said, before heading off to pray that the team — out for their fourth title and third in a row — get it done.

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