We're inching closer to the end of both the NBA and NHL playoff series, and we've had a few big, close games in the last couple of days so lets jump straight in....



NBA (Basketball)

Eastern Conference Finals
  Chicago Bulls (1) vs Miami Heat (3)
Earlier today in Miami the Heat lifted roof coming back in the last, forcing overtime and running away with the victory against the Bulls. It was the first time this season that Chicago had lost three games in a row and it looks as though the Heat have figured out how to stop Derrick Rose from having too much influence on the match-ups. He did score a few lovely dunks, but the star of the day was Lebron James who scored 35 points and also included a massive block and some great all-round D against Rose in the clutch. Mike Miller was also solid off the bench for the Heat, with 12 points, 9 boards and a massive +/- score of +36 (for those who don't know, that means the Heat outscored the Bulls by 36 points when Miller was on court). The series returns to Chicago on Friday (Australian time).


Western Conference Finals
  Dallas Mavericks (3) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
With 5 minutes left in yesterday's game four it looked as though the Thunder were about to level the series at 2-2, however a spirited fight back from Dirk Nowitzki (40 points) and the Mavericks saw the game pushed to overtime where the men from Dallas ran away with a 112-105 victory. OKC came out strong in this one and led comfortably all the way, including a 15 point lead with 5 minutes to play, until Nowitzki tied it up from the paint with 6 seconds left. In OT, it was a lovely pump-fake then three from Jason Kidd which gave Dallas the break which they never looked back from. The Mav's now sit one game away from what would be their second NBA Finals series in franchise history (they lost to the Heat in 05-06).




NHL (Ice Hockey)

Eastern Conference Finals
  Boston Bruins (3) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (2)
After scoring the winning goal for the Lightning in game four, Simon Gagne had fans back in Tampa roaring as he took just over a minute in game five to score and take an early lead. But it wouldn't last, and the Bruins ran away with a 3-1 victory to go up 3-2 in the best of seven series which returns to Tampa tomorrow.

Western Conference Finals
  Vancouver Canucks (4) vs San Jose Sharks (1)
Penalties derailed the Sharks chances in game four as the Canucks were able to convert three successive 5-on-3 power plays in just a couple of minutes during the second period and eventuated 4-2 winners. The Sedin twins from Sweden dominated for Vancouver with each having a hand in all four goals. (Update: Canucks win 3-2 in double overtime to clinch the series and will head to the Stanley Cup finals)

Annndd... here are the top ten plays of last week!




That's it for this week folks, be sure to tune in next week as we'll be kicking into the championship series for both NBA and NHL. And for more sport coverage on TheVine, take a squiz at the Aussie Sports Wrap by Friday Experts and the World Sport Report by Chris Cork.