Trail Blazers earn Warriors showdown, Heat and Pacers force deciders

The Portland Trail Blazers will meet defending NBA champions the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semi-finals after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103.

Portland had dropped the opening two games in the first-round play-off series and faced a swift exit in the west.

But the Trail Blazers responded with three consecutive wins and they completed their comeback and a 4-2 series triumph in Portland on Friday.

Damian Lillard (28 points) and C.J. McCollum (20 points) guided the Trail Blazers into the next round.

Big numbers from Jamal Crawford (32 points) and Austin Rivers (21 points) were not enough to save the Clippers from elimination.

With the Miami Heat’s season on the line, Dwayne Wade came up big to force a seventh game against the Charlotte Hornets via a 97-90 victory.

Trailing 3-2 in the Eastern Conference first-round play-off series, the Heat were a game away from elimination.

But three-time NBA champion Wade, 34, turned back the clock, posting 23 points – 10 in the final quarter – on the road in Charlotte on Friday.

Wade also ended a streak of 22 consecutive failed three-point shots, making two from beyond the arc, including one with 46 seconds remaining.

The Hornets, who missed the chance to guarantee their spot in the Conference semi-finals for the first time in 14 years, were led by Kemba Walker’s game-high 37 points.

In Indianapolis, the Indiana Pacers also avoided elimination thanks to a 101-83 victory against the Toronto Raptors.

On the brink of a 4-2 series defeat, the Pacers went on an 18-0 run to trump the Raptors and earn a seventh game in Toronto on Sunday.

Paul George’s double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds inspired the Pacers.

Kyle Lowry had 10 points and as many assists for the Raptors, while team-mate DeMar DeRozan was limited to eight points.