MIAMI (AP) – Hours before the biggest game of his life and the most important in this city’s hoop history, Dwyane Wade, brimming with confidence and South Beach coolness, gave his take on the NBA finals.

“It’s not over,” he said.

Not if he says so.

Wade scored 42 points and orchestrated a furious four-quarter Miami comeback that reached its crescendo on Gary Payton’s jumper with 9.3 seconds left as the Heat escaped with a 98-96 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game 3 on Tuesday night.

The Heat rallied from a 13-point deficit in the final 6:34 to keep alive a series that looked to be finished with Dallas up 2-0.

Despite blowing its big lead, Dallas still had plenty of chances late but Dirk Nowitzki missed one of two free throws with 3.4 seconds to go.

The Mavericks couldn’t convert on an inbounds play in the final second of the game, allowing the Heat to escape and pull within one game of the Mavericks in the series.