Game 5: Wolves win 98-96, stay alive in series Game 4: Wolves lose; backs are against the wall Game 3: Lakers win 100-89 Game 2: Timberwolves win 89-71 Game 1: Lakers sink Wolves 97-88 Preview of series with Britt Robson of City Pages (Morning Edition, 5/21/04) Former Minneapolis Laker George Mikan talks with KPCC's John Rabe Timberwolves advance to Western Conference finals Photos The difference between winning and losing Two down, two to go Nice game View full slideshow (4 images) Your Voice Join the conversation with other MPR listeners in the News Forum.

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Missed buzzer-beater sends Timberwolves to playoff win
May 19, 2004

Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates at the buzzer as Chris Webber of the Sacramento Kings falls to floor in game seven of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals on May 19, 2004 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images )

The Minnesota Timberwolves have advanced to the Western Conference Finals after beating the Sacramento Kings 83-80 at the Target Center Wednesday night. Like many of the other games during the seven-game series, no lead was safe. And despite a strong performance by league MVP Kevin Garnett, the game came down to a missed, last-second shot by Sacramento.

Minneapolis, Minn. — It was probably the biggest game Kevin Garnett has played in his eight years with the Timberwolves. Game seven of a highly competitive series with one of the best teams in the league. Win and they advance. Lose and they go home.

	Two down, two to go

With under two minutes to go in the game, Garnett hits a clutch three-point shot. The Target Center explodes. The home team is up by seven points and the fans can start to taste a victory. But the Kings battle back with three-point shots of their own. Garnett blocks a key shot and makes a steal. But the Kings have one last chance as Chris Webber takes aim from behind the three point line.

"It was a lucky break for us and we'll take it," Latrell Sprewell said. He was trying to get Garnett to foul Webber before he took the shot. Nevertheless the ball rattled around in the rim and popped out. Sprewell had 14 points in the game. A veteran player who's experienced the tension of a game seven in a playoff series, Sprewell says this was one of the most exciting games he's played in.

"What can you say? We were up nine there looking good. They fought back. We had some turnovers; didn't take care of the ball. But Sam hit the free throws down the stretch to put us up by three," he said.

The win is yet another milestone for the Timberwolves franchise. So far this year, the team has won its first division title; it has made it past the first round of the playoffs for the first time and now it will be the first time the Wolves have reached the Western Conference Finals. But, head Coach Flip Saunders says he's not surprised the Wolves have made it this far.

I've had some really special moments on my birthday and I've had some really special presents, but nothing like this. - Kevin Garnett

"We expected to be here. We knew it wasn't going to be easy. But after you finish the season as the number one seed -- that's why you work to get home court. To have the crowd support like we had tonight. It was an extremely satisfying game," Saunders said.

The game was particularly satisfying for Kevin Garnett. He scored 32 points and grabbed 21 rebounds. Garnett says the win made for a nice present on his 28th birthday.

"I've had some really special moments on my birthday and I've had some really special presents, but nothing like this," he said.

Garnett and the rest of the Wolves won't have very long to savor their victory. On Friday night they begin another best-of-seven series with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Timberwolves center Mark Madsen played for the Lakers last season and won two championships with Los Angeles in 2001 and 2002. He says the Lakers have a lot of good players besides stars Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

	Nice game

"With L.A., the key thing is to sustain efforts. And L.A. has been playing great basketball, behind Kobe and behind Shaq. We're going to have our hands full," according to Madsen.

The Lakers disposed of the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs to advance to the Western Conference finals. But the Timberwolves have a better record than the Lakers this year and will have home court advantage.

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