NBA ROUNDUP : It’s a Record-Setting Three-Point Spree for Shaw

Brian Shaw wasn’t known as a three-point shooter--until Thursday night.

Shaw, who made only eight three-pointers in his previous three seasons, set an NBA record by making 10 long-range shots in Miami’s 117-92 victory over the Bucks at Milwaukee.

The Heat guard made six three-pointers in the first quarter and added four in the third quarter to break the record of nine held by Dale Ellis and Michael Adams. Overall, Shaw was 10 of 15 from long range.

“Once I had a few, my teammates kept encouraging me to shoot them,” Shaw said. “They were setting screens and trying to get me open.”

One of Shaw’s three-pointers in the first quarter banked in after being deflected by Brad Lohaus.

“When that one went in, I knew it was going to be my night,” Shaw said.

In his first three NBA seasons, Shaw made eight of 63 (12.7%) from three-point range.

Milwaukee Coach Mike Dunleavy said he was surprised by Shaw’s three-point barrage.

“That’s from a guy who usually looks to distribute the ball instead of shoot,” Dunleavy said. “He got on a roll. It was his night.”

Said Miami Coach Kevin Loughery: “I’ve got no problems with guys shooting three-pointers.

“We were 15 of 22 from the three-point line. Some nights we can’t even shoot foul shots that well.”

Ellis made nine three-pointers for Seattle against the Clippers in in 1990. The following season, Denver’s Adams tied the record against the Clippers.

New York 110, Boston 88--The Knicks clinched their first Atlantic Division title since 1989, beating the Celtics behind Patrick Ewing’s 31 points at New York.

The Knicks, who have a 10-game lead with nine games remaining, also extended their lead over Chicago to 1 1/2 games in the Eastern Conference.

The winner will earn home-court advantage for a potential conference final matchup.

Phoenix 123, Sacramento 114--Cedric Ceballos scored 28 points at Sacramento to lead the Suns to their ninth consecutive victory.

Phoenix won for the 17th time in its last 18 games and swept the season series against Sacramento, which was led by Rod Higgins’ season-high 26 points.

Detroit 100, New Jersey 98--Isiah Thomas made two free throws with 3.5 seconds to play and Detroit continued its late bid for a playoff berth by beating New Jersey at East Rutherford, N.J.

Thomas scored 11 of his 25 points in the final 5:50 as the Pistons won their fourth consecutive game.

The Pistons are tied with Orlando for the ninth-best record in the Eastern Conference, 1 1/2 games behind Indiana and Charlotte in the battle for the final playoff berth.

Joe Dumars scored 33 points--his fourth consecutive 30-plus game.

Houston 95, Utah 90--Hakeem Olajuwon scored 27 points and blocked eight shots as Houston survived a furious fourth-quarter rally at Salt Lake City.

Vernon Maxwell added 21 points for the first-place Rockets.

Karl Malone had 23 points and 12 rebounds for Utah.

Portland 126, Dallas 107--Cliff Robinson scored 21 points and Terry Porter added 19 at Portland.

The Trail Blazers forced 14 first-half turnovers and built a 64-42 lead.

The loss dropped the Mavericks to 8-65 as they try to avoid compiling the worst record in NBA history. The Philadelphia 76ers were 9-73 in 1972-73.