We're right in the middle of the NBA and NHL finals series right now, and this week I'm giving you a game by game summary including plenty of youtube highlights. It's video heavy - so grab yourself some popcorn, push that reclining button on the side of your chair (not the one that makes it go down), and enjoy.
NBA (Basketball)
NBA Finals
Miami Heat (2) vs Dallas Mavericks (2)
The Mavericks have lost their shooting touch in this series but Dirk Nowitzki remains a beast, while Dwayne Wade has shaken off any injury concerns for his elbow and caught fire with some scintillating performances, but Lebron James has gone missing on offence. All that adds up to a series locked 2-2 after four games. Games two through to four are outlined in more detail below.
Game Two (Mavs 95-93)
Dirk Nowitzki came into game two with injury worries about tendon damage to a finger in his non-shooting hand. But people who thought that would make a difference forgot one thing - German's do not feel pain. Trailing by 15 points with about 5 minutes left, I'd pretty much given up on the Mavs, but Dirk went on a scoring rampage with Dallas' last 9 points as they overtook the Heat to win 95-93. The last two, including his impressive game winner, were shot with the injured left hand. Earlier it was Dwayne Wade (36 points) and surprisingly Mike Bibby (14 points, including four 3pt-ers... really? He's averaged just 3.9 points in the postseason shooting at just 28%) who helped build Miami's seemingly insurmountable lead.
Game Three (Heat 88-86)
A close game three saw the Mavericks make another second half comeback but fall just short after Nowitzki (who led the day in scoring with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks) missed a buzzer-beating jumper to tie the game. Wade was again hot for the Heat with 29 points and 11 boards of his own. Lebron James hasn't been his usual high-scoring self, but has still been influential making big hustle plays and stretching the Dallas defence. Also, Mario Chalmers has been in fine touch of the Heat bench. The Mav's bench by comparison, has continued to underperform shooting just 33% from the field.
Game Four (Dallas 86-83)
Dallas had Dirk battling with a fever and Brendan Heyward returning but still ginger with a hip injury. They also took about 7 inches out of their starting line-up replacing DeShawn Stevenson at shooting guard with JJ Barea. Things were looking against the Mavs in game four today but they fought hard to get the game won 86-83. It was a close game throughout with neither team ever opening out a big lead. Nowitizki shot poorly but still ended up leading his team with 21 points, while Tyson Chandler was a presence under the ring with 13 points and 16 rebounds.
For the Heat, Bosh was good for the first three quarters and totaled 24 points, but went missing in the last and responsible for turnover that led to Dallas taking the lead with 5 minutes remaining. Dwayne Wade was again good all night with 32 points and two huge big blocks against Chandler in the fourth quarter, but missed a crucial late free throw and when given the ball with a chance to tie in the last few seconds he fumbled, scrambled to get it back to Mike Miller who put up a prayer and missed.
NHL (Ice Hockey)
Stanley Cup Finals
Vancouver Canucks (2) vs Boston Bruins (1)
Three games in and things have been feisty in the Stanley Cup Finals. I love big hits and fights in hockey - especially fights. Two guys decide they want to go at it, the referees let them go, but as soon as someone so much as puts a knee to the ice they break it up and send them both to the penalty box. Why can't life outside the rink be more like that?
Game Two (Canucks 3-2 in OT)
Alex Burrows scored just 11 seconds into overtime to give the Canucks a 2-0 lead in the series on Friday. Burrows also scored the first goal of the match to give Vancouver an early lead, but two goals to the Bruins in the second period meant the home team had to pull it back in the final period. Daniel Sedin did, it went to overtime, and the rest has already been said.
Game Three (Bruins 8-1)
After finding themselves down two-zip in the series and having forward Nathan Horton stretchered off from a sickening hit just a few minutes into game 3 yesterday, the Boston Bruins fought back at home in emphatic style. Four goals to none in the second period followed by another 4 in the final saw to an 8-1 win for the Bruins. Tim Thomas continued to impress in goals for Boston with 40 saves but the Bruins also showed some fantastic team defence, killing off all 8 of the Canucks power plays. Mark Recchi (the NHL's oldest active player at 43 and who has vowed to retire if the Bruins win the Cup) scored twice for the Bruins and was awarded the three stars.
That's it for another week of the wrap, for more sports coverage on The Vine check out the
Aussie Sports Wrap by Friday Experts and tomorrow's World Sport Report.