Ron Artest scored 27 points to lead Houston to a 92-76 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Toyota Center.
Yao Ming contributed 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Aaron Brooks chipped in with 13 points and Shane Batter tied a career play-off high with nine rebounds.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the resistence for Portland with 26 points, while Brandon Roy had 22.
A 31-18 second quarter highlighted by a 13-2 run and 50% shooting put the Rockets in control at half-time after establishing a 52-37 lead at the break.
Facing elimination, Portland cut the deficit to 13 early in the fourth quarter but Yao and Brooks hit back for Houston to end any hopes of a fightback and send them into a semi-final series with the the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers which begins on Monday at the Staples Center.
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