Damian Lillard (front) of the Trail Blazers scrambles for a loose ball with Patrick Beverley of the Rockets on Friday (US time). Photo: CFP

Damian Lillard hit the series-­clinching ­three-point shot on Friday (US time) as time expired and the ­Portland Trail Blazers beat Houston 99-98 to reach the second round of the NBA West ­Conference playoffs.

Portland advanced to the second round of the postseason for the first time in 14 years by beating the Rockets four games to two.

The Rockets appeared to be heading to a ­victory and a game seven after Chandler Parsons scored on a reverse layup under the basket with 0.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

But then Nicolas Batum inbounded the ball to Lillard, whose shot from near the top of the arc over Parsons sailed cleanly through the rim and set off a wild celebration.

"I figured it would be tough to get my hands on the ball," Lillard said. "I raised up and snapped my wrist. I got a good look and I am so excited to win."

The Trail Blazers won their first playoff ­series since May 16, 2000 when they beat Utah in five games. They had dropped seven consecutive series.

Lillard's dramatic buzzer beater marked the final three of his 25 points. LaMarcus Aldridge had 30 points and 13 rebounds for Portland.

James Harden scored 34 points and Dwight Howard contributed 26 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

In the other West game on Friday, on the brink of elimination from the playoffs, the ­Dallas Mavericks battled back in the fourth quarter to win, moving within a game of ousting top-seeded San Antonio.

Monta Ellis scored 29 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 22 to lead the Mavericks over the Spurs 113-111, leveling their series at three wins each and setting up a seventh game on Sunday in San Antonio.

"It's the ultimate thrill. It's win or go home," German star Nowitzki said. "Everything else that happened goes out the window."

Brazil's Tiago Splitter had 19 points for the Spurs while Danny Green finished with 17 and Tim Duncan had 16.

In the East, Deron ­Williams scored 23 points and shook off an ankle sprain to lead the Brooklyn Nets over Toronto 97-83 and keep their NBA playoff hopes alive.

Williams, who scored 11 points after twisting his left ankle early in the third quarter, added five rebounds and four assists to help the Nets level their best-of-seven ­series at 3-3 and force a decisive seventh game on Sunday in Toronto.

Brooklyn's Joe Johnson scored 17 points while Kevin Garnett added 13 points and five ­rebounds and Paul Pierce contributed 12 points and six rebounds.

DeMar DeRozan netted a game-high 28 points for the Raptors, who are seeking their first playoff series triumph since 2001.

Agencies - Global Times