Late Damian Lillard shot ends Houston Rockets' hopes

A late basket from Damian Lillard has sealed the Portland Trail Blazers' place in the Western Conference semi-finals as the team beat the Houston Rockets 99-98 to wrap up a 4-2 series win.

Neither side had been able to open up a substantial lead through the game as James Harden's 34-point game was cancelled out by LaMarcus Aldridge's contribution.

The lead changed hands multiple times inside the final minute of the meeting, with Nicolas Batum levelling for Portland following a series of free throws from Dwight Howard, before Chandler Parsons put Houston back in front, but there was no time for the visitors to respond to Lillard's last-gasp three-pointer.

The result means that the seventh game scheduled for Sunday will not be needed, giving the hosts extra time to prepare for their first semi-final in 14 years.

The Trail Blazers will play another Texas side in the semi-finals, as they will face the winner of the playoff between the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs.