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James, Heat burn Bucks

Nov 13, 2013 - 4:47 AM Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - LeBron James took the reins Tuesday and poured in 33 points as the Miami Heat pummeled the overmatched Bucks, 118-95.

Perhaps spurred by Saturday's late collapse against the Celtics, James looked for his shot more often and connected on 13-of-21 from the floor.

James, who did not play in the fourth quarter with Miami firmly in control, made four of the Heat's 12 3-pointers and was followed on the scoring sheet by Michael Beasley (19 points) and Mario Chalmers (15).

Miami shot a scorching 58 percent from the field and limited Milwaukee to 42 percent shooting while forcing 18 turnovers.

"It's been a long 48 hours in this building. We were able to respond with a good win," said Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who was referencing his club's resolve following the stunning loss to Boston.

Gary Neal and John Henson scored 18 points apiece to pace the Bucks, whose starters combined for just 35 points.

James indicated before the game the Heat needed to "come out with a sense of urgency."

Chalmers, most notably, heeded the advice early on.

The Heat scored seven straight points after Nate Wolters opened the scoring with a layup, and Chalmers fueled an 11-0 run later in the opening quarter to extend Miami's lead to 26-14.

Twenty of the Heat's 32 points in the first quarter came in the paint, and Miami continued to dictate play throughout the second frame, which was highlighted by Chalmers' no-look alley-oop pass to James for a tomahawk slam.

Neal hit a late 3-point to bring the Bucks within 56-45 at halftime, but James took the game over with a 17-point third quarter.

The four-time league MVP showed off his range with four makes from behind the arc, two coming during a personal 8-0 run that ended with him faking a pass to the baseline and going in for an uncontested dunk for a 75-54 lead with 4:26 to go before the fourth.

Milwaukee trailed by 22, 84-62, entering the fourth, and both benches emptied for the final 12 minutes.

"This was just one game," said Bucks head coach Larry Drew. "We got to get this one behind us."

Game Notes

The Heat were without forward Udonis Haslem (back) and sharpshooter Ray Allen (illness) ... Chalmers handed out a game-high seven assists ... Dwyane Wade chipped in eight points and eight rebounds and Chris Bosh netted 10 points in the win ... Miami had a 56-30 advantage in points in the paint ... Miami has scored at least 100 points in each of the first eight games this season, extending the longest streak to begin a campaign in franchise history.