PEJA STOJAKOVIC found his touch in time to help the Dallas Mavericks rally past the Los Angeles Lakers, 98-92, and move within a victory of clinching a spot in the Western Conference final on Saturday.

The sweet-shooting forward scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth period, spiked by three timely three-pointers that fueled their rally.

Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry also came up big for the Mavericks down the stretch. Nowitzki scored 32 points and canned the go-ahead free throws, 88-87, in the closing minutes off a Pau Gasol foul.

The Lakers regained the lead on a floater by Derek Fisher, but Terry answered with a booming trey on the ensuing play to put the Mavericks ahead for good.

All 98 teams in NBA playoffs history that have trailed 0-3 in a best-of-seven ended up losing the series.