Giro d'Italia: Juan Manuel Gárate wins the 19th stage of the Giro, a tough mountain stage over seven hours. Ivan Basso maintains his firm hold of the Maglia rosa. 25 May 2006 (Thursday) 2006 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Final, Game 2 Detroit Pistons 92, Miami Heat 88 Series tied, 1–1 NHL 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference Final, Game 4 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 6, Edmonton Oilers 3 Edmonton leads series 3–1 Cycling Giro d'Italia: Stefan Schumacher wins his second stage of the Giro in a sprint finish between 5 breakaway riders. Ivan Basso maintains his firm lead in the provisional General Classement. 24 May 2006 (Wednesday) Rugby league State of Origin, Australia: New South Wales 17, Queensland 16: In the series opener at Telstra Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales narrowly defeats Queensland 17–16. Despite holding a 14–0 half-time lead and being ahead 16–6 late in the second half, NSW had to hold off a late charge from the Maroons who managed to tie the game with a few minutes left in the game. Brett Finch who had been rushed into the side over injury concerns, kicked a successful drop goal with a minute left in regulation to win the game. Game 2 will be on Wednesday June 14 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.(ABC, Australia) 2006 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Final, Game 1 Phoenix Suns 121, Dallas Mavericks 118, Phoenix leads series 1–0 NHL 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference Final, Game 3 Buffalo Sabres 4, Carolina Hurricanes 3 Buffalo leads series 2–1 Football (soccer) MLS: Lewis Wolff and the ownership group of the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball enter into a three-year exclusivity agreement permitting them to receive a new MLS franchise for the San Francisco Bay Area if they come up with a deal to build a soccer-specific stadium. (ESPN.com) Cycling Giro d'Italia: Leonardo Piepoli wins his second mountain stage of the Giro. Ivan Basso again gains more time on his rivals in the contest for the Maglia rosa. 23 May 2006 (Tuesday) 2006 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Final, Game 1 Miami Heat 91, Detroit Pistons 86 Miami leads series 1–0 NBA Draft Lottery: The Toronto Raptors won the 2006 edition and will select first in the 2006 NBA Draft on June 28. NHL 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs Western Conference Final, Game 3 Edmonton Oilers 5, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 4. Edmonton leads series 3–0. Cycling Giro d'Italia: