Damian Lillard drained a game-winning three with 0.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter, and the Portland Trail Blazers eliminated the Houston Rockets with a 98-99 victory. Chandler Parsons gave the Rockets a two-point lead with a putback, but Lillard responded with a huge shot out of an inbounds play. Here's the the series-sealing shot from Lillard in GIF form:
Lillard finished the night with 25 points, shooting 6-of-10 from three-point range.
LaMarcus Aldridge continued his dominance through the playoffs, scoring 30 points while grabbing 13 rebounds. His mix of shooting, ability to handle the ball and post-move proficiency again proved to be too much for the Rockets' frontcourt to handle. Both Asik and Howard were in foul trouble early as they tried to contain Aldridge.
Dwight Howard was finishing everything at the rim in the fourth quarter. He scored 13 points in the final 12 minutes and notched 26 points and 11 rebounds, reaching a double-double in all six of the Rockets' playoff games.
James Harden had a phenomenal game, scoring 34 points on 15 shots attempted. He was in rhythm from the first quarter, reading the defense and attacking their vulnerabilities. The Blazers often doubled Howard, who was actively kicking back out to Harden. Hard close-outs to recover turned into relentless drives to the rim from Harden as he attacked the paint. He lived at the free-throw line, connecting on all 12 attempts.
Portland will face either the San Antonio Spurs or Dallas Mavericks, who face off in Game 7 on Sunday.