LOS ANGELES — The top cops in Los Angeles and Boston are making a friendly wager on pro basketball's greatest rivalry.

As the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers prepare to battle in their 12th NBA finals meeting, the police chiefs from both cities placed bets Wednesday on the outcome of the series.

If the Lakers lose the series, Police Chief Charlie Beck said he will work a patrol shift in Boston with local officers. If the Celtics lose, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis will pull a patrol shift in Los Angeles.

Beck said he and Davis agreed to use their vacation time for the trip and work in their own uniforms because they don't have jurisdiction in another state.

Beck said he might put Davis on the Hollywood beat.