Madsen, O’Neal Not Pals Now

Time was when Mark Madsen and Shaquille O’Neal were friends, when O’Neal took Madsen under his long wing in 2000, bringing the rookie along on Rolex shopping sprees and complimenting him for accepting his share of daily bumps and bruises in practice, most coming at the hands of O’Neal.

But they are all business these days, Madsen shaking his head Thursday night when asked whether he and O’Neal had talked since Game 3.

“There’s not a whole lot of communication going on in terms of myself and the other team,” Madsen said. “There’s definitely a respect level, but there is also a certain edge that I feel like I need to maintain, and that is focusing on this team and what we’re doing and realize that in the future, over the summertime, I’ll have time to catch up with old friends.”

Madsen said he understood why O’Neal was angry after referees did not call an apparent intentional foul on Madsen late in Game 3.

“It’s been said by David Stern [that] Shaq is one of those very unique players that is so talented and so powerful that officiating is difficult with Shaq,” Madsen said.

“He might get fouled every time,” he said. “I understand the frustration.”

Madsen, who spent three seasons with the Lakers before signing with the Timberwolves last summer, said he wouldn’t mind adding a third championship ring to his collection, although the odds became steeper Thursday.

“This is a situation under which, on a personal level, I want to be back here in Los Angeles, for the Western Conference championship,” Madsen said. “I’m here for one purpose, the same purpose the entire Timberwolves’ team is here. We have a goal to get to the next round.”

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The statistic of the game?

The Lakers had 18 offensive rebounds. Although Minnesota outscored the Lakers, 19-17, on second-chance points, the disparity took its toll.

Said Madsen, among those whose job it was to prevent that kind of statistical stunner: “There it is, 18 offensive rebounds. You can’t allow that.... I don’t care how good you are. You can’t overcome that.”

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Sam Cassell, bothered by recurring back spasms and a sore hip, did not start for the Timberwolves, for only the second time in 98 games. He played in the third quarter but later went to the locker room.

Times staff writer Bill Dwyre contributed to this report.