SACRAMENTO, California, 12 May 2004 — Trenton Hassell partially blocked Peja Stojakovic’s shot just before the overtime buzzer as Minnesota escaped with a 114-113 win Sacramento in Game Three of the Western Conference semifinals.

In Game Two on Saturday, Sacramento squandered a 10-point in the final four minutes as Minnesota tied the series.

In this one, the Timberwolves had a 15-point lead with 6 1 2 minutes left and a 100-87 cushion before Stojakovic nailed a 17-foot jumper with two minutes to play in Monday’s game.

“These are dogfight kind of games we are doing everything to get an edge,” said Timberwolves Kevin Garnett. “They were bombing threes like Hiroshima, but we hit the shots we had to came out with a win.

“Doesn’t matter whether you win by one or 30. It is still a win.”

Garnett collected 30 points and 15 rebounds and Latrell Sprewell added 25, nine and six assists for Minnesota, which improved to 3-0 at Arco Arena this season.

Without point guard Sam Cassell — who committed four fouls in a 1:50 stretch earlier in the period and fouled out with 1:26 left — Minnesota watched Sacramento storm back and tie it 104-104 on a 3-pointer by Stojakovic with 10.7 seconds left.

Following a timeout, the Timberwolves worked the ball to Garnett, who was guarded by Brad Miller at the top of the arc.

Garnett spun right, but Stojakovic knocked the ball loose and the MVP could not get off a shot before the buzzer.

In overtime, Minnesota took a 112-111 lead on a jumper by Sprewell with 59 seconds left and, after a miss by Stojakovic, Garnett made a difficult spinning jumper with the shot clock about to expire with 10.8 seconds remaining.

After two free throws by Stojakovic made it 114-113 with 6.1 seconds left, Minnesota called timeout and inbounded the ball to Garnett, who slipped and was called for traveling.

Following another timeout, Sacramento got the ball to Stojakovic, who scored 22 of his 29 points after the third quarter and all nine in overtime. But Hassell got a piece of the shot and Sprewell grabbed the rebound as time expired.

Game Four to be played today at Sacramento.

In Miami, rookie Dwyane Wade scored 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as the Miami Heat posted a 94-87 victory over Indiana in Game Three of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Miami posted its 17th straight home win and cut its deficit in the best-of-seven series to 2-1.

It was one of two major streaks on the line, but Wade’s play triggered a key late run that helped the fourth-seeded Heat preserve theirs.

“I’ve always felt that my strength is taking the ball inside and getting into the lane,” Wade said. “I’m confident that I can get past the first guy.”

The top-seeded Pacers took advantage of numerous trips to the line to rally from a nine-point second-half deficit, forging a 72-72 deadlock with 5:47 remaining on a free throw by Al Harrington.

Wade answered with a jumper that gave Miami the lead for good and Ron Artest, struggling through a rough shooting night, misfired on the other end for Indiana.

On the next possession, Wade cut to the basket, took a feed from Lamar Odom and dunked over Jermaine O’Neal for a 76-72 advantage with 4:46 to go.

“We’re confident in what we can do,” said Wade, who is averaging 16.6 points in the postseason.

“This is a bunch of guys who don’t quit. No matter the score, we’re going to keep fighting.”