Ratings for the Western Conference finals on ESPN increased 32 percent from the network's conference finals coverage last year. The Eastern Conference finals on TNT were up 30 percent from its conference finals coverage in 2008.
DALLAS, May 19 (UPI) -- The Detroit Red Wings took a slot in the Stanley Cup Finals Monday for the first time since winning the NHL title in 2002 with a 4-1 victory over Dallas.
PHOENIX, June 3 (UPI) -- Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points and 10 rebounds as Dallas beat Phoenix, 102-93, to win the Western Conference Finals and advance to the Finals against the Heat.
MIAMI, June 6 (UPI) -- The defending champion Detroit Pistons beat the Miami Heat, 88-82, Monday in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference playoffs to advance to the NBA Finals.
Lori Anne Madison, 6, of Woodbridge, Virginia, spells out the letters in her word as she competes during the opening round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, May 30, 2012, in National Harbor, Maryland. Madison, the youngest known qualifier in the history of the contest, correctly spelled the word "dirigible*", a lighter-than-air aircraft, to advance. UPI/Mike Theiler
