Heat defeats Bucks, 104-91, to take 3-0 lead in first-round series

Every game, someone different steps up for the Miami Heat.

Well, someone different and LeBron James.

Ageless Ray Allen scored 23 points, setting the NBA career playoff record for three-pointers in the process, and James had seven of his 22 points during a decisive run that closed out the third quarter — and maybe the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat’s 104-91 victory Thursday night at Milwaukee gave the defending champions a 3-0 lead, with a chance to complete the sweep Sunday afternoon at the Bradley Center.

“That’s been our calling card all year, the depth that we have,” said Allen, whose five three-pointers gave him 322 for his career, two more than Reggie Miller. “As a team, you’ve got to find a way to plug in the holes, and every night we find somebody different.”

Chris Bosh had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Heat, which has won 11 straight dating to the regular season and 40 of its last 42. Chris Andersen had another big game, scoring 11 on five-for-five shooting and grabbing six rebounds in 13 minutes.

Dwyane Wade had just four points, and his one-for-12 shooting was his worst in a postseason game. But he contributed 11 assists, nine rebounds, five steals and two blocks.

“I shot the ball terrible,” Wade, who is still nursing a bruised right knee, said with a laugh. “But we played a good game. Game 3 is a tough game. I thought, as a team, we showed a lot of guts, a lot of grit. When those guys came out hot, we stayed with it, we stayed with our game plan and were able to get a great win. There’s nothing as satisfying as winning a Game 3 on the road. But it’s over now. Now we have to focus on closing the series out.”

Larry Sanders and Brandon Jennings had 16 points each to lead six Bucks in double figures, and Sanders added 11 rebounds while Jennings contributed eight assists.

at Chicago 79, Brooklyn 76: Carlos Boozer had 22 points and 16 rebounds, Luol Deng had 21 points and 10 boards, and the Bulls held off the Nets to take a 2-1 series lead.

Chicago had no field goals and two foul shots in the final 5:46 of the game but still managed to beat Brooklyn for the second game in a row.

The Nets shot 35% for the second straight game. Brook Lopez had 22 points and nine rebounds, and Deron Williams finished with 18 points on five-for-14 shooting.