And the Phoenix Suns have moved within one win of the Western Conference Finals for the second straight year with a 125-118 triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers in double overtime.

After erasing a double-digit deficit in the first half, the Heat never trailed in the fourth quarter, taking the lead for good at 98-96 with 4:37 remaining in the last quarter on a breakaway dunk from Dwayne Wade. Wade made six of 10 shots in the second half after starting one from nine in the first half.

Antoine Walker was the star for the Heat with 23 points on 9/17 shooting, including one of his four three-pointers with 1:56 remaining in the last quarter to give the Heat a 105-99 lead.

The Nets had one last chance to win the game with 1.4 seconds remaining, but Wade stole an inbound pass meant for Vince Carter, denying the Nets a chance for a last gasp win.

Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter both shot 33 points for the Nets while Jason Kidd finished the match with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists.

The Heat now progress to a best-of-seven series against either the San Antonio Spurs or the Dallas Mavericks to decide who will become the Western Conference Champions this season.

Meanwhile, the Suns should have wrapped their match up much earlier.

The Suns shot out to a 19-point lead midway through the third quarter but some good outside shooting from Clippers Sam Cassell and Vladimir Radmanovic cut the margin back to only six points at the last change.

In the first overtime period the Clippers held a three-point lead with three seconds remaining but Raja Bell landed a 30-foot jump shot to force a second overtime period, during which the Suns took an early lead and were never headed.

All-Star Shawn Marion had his usual strong game for the Suns with 36 points and 20 rebounds. He was helped by Bell, who finished with 22 points and Tim Thomas, who had 25 points.

For the Clippers, All-Star Elton Brand and Cassell tried valiantly with Brand finishing with 33 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, and Cassell, who had 32 points and five assists.

The series now heads back to Los Angeles for game six on Friday (AEST).

NBA results, May 16
Heat 106 Nets 105
Clippers 118 Suns 125