The mayors of Minneapolis and Phoenix have made a friendly wager on the WNBA series between their two cities.

R.T. Rybak of Minneapolis is putting up sweet tango apples from Pepin Heights Orchards in Lake City, MN., against a basket from Phoenix mayor Phil Gordon with Arizona-made hot sauces and salsas.

The best-of-three Western Conference finals between the Lynx and Mercury starts tonight.

"We know it's going to be a good series," Rybak said in a news release from the Lynx. "These two teams played the highest-scoring game in WNBA history against each other this season, but the Lynx are tough competitors and I'm confident that Minnesota's women hoopsters will carry the day.

"I look forward to trying Arizona's best hot sauces and I'm only sorry for Mayor Gordon that he won't get to taste our delicious Minnesota apples."

Gordon's rebuttal: "Minnesota won an impressive number of basketball games this year, but they need two more and won't get them. Phoenix has the edge because Phoenix has the Mercury. I'll make that bet all day long — while eating their wonderful apples."