Heat vs. Bucks: Game 3 — Miami Heat takes 3-0 series lead with 104-91 win

Photo Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

MILWAUKEE — Brandon Jennings may need to get out of the prediction business.

The Miami Heat score a hat trick tonight and take a commanding lead in the series, with a 104-91 win.  The series is likely over, as no NBA team has ever came back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series.

The Bucks had no answer for Ray Allen, who led the Heat in scoring with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, with five three-pointers.  Allen now holds the NBA career playoff record with 322. LeBron James chipped in with 22 points, while Chris Bosh had a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.  Wade struggled the entire game, only shooting 1-12, but distributed 11 assists and had five steals.

The Heat shot a torching 51.9% from the field and 42.1% from the three-point line.

For the Bucks, Brandon Jennings led the team with 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting.  Larry Sanders had his best game of the series, shooting 70% from the field and scoring 16 points.

The Bucks were playing well and even extended a lead into the third quarter.  However, their efforts were neutrailzed when Miami decided to turn on the proverbial light switch. After a few layups by Udonis Haslem and Mario Chalmers, James hit for a three-pointer to take the lead 69-67.

Chalmers then stole the ball from Monta Ellis and assisted to James for an uncontested dunk. The home crowd began to boo as they watched Ellis commit his second turnover.  He finished the game with only seven points on 2-of-9 shooting.

The Heat’s offense continued to click, while Norris Cole drove down the lane and set up Chris Anderson, for a reverse lay-up.  James added another lay-up, and the defending champions closed the third quarter with a twelve point lead.  The fourth quarter set the stage for Ray Allen, as he broke the NBA career playoff three-point record with a corner three with 8:35 left to play.

The Bucks desperately needed to win this game, because history is not on their side.  No NBA team has ever overcame a 3-0 deficit, and the Heat astonishingly have not even played their best game so far. If Milwaukee wants to avoid the sweep, they will need to increase the physicality, commit some hard fouls, and hope to slow down the pace.

The Miami Heat will look to end the series this Sunday at 3:30 pm ET at the Bradley Center in Game 4.

Here are some numbers from the game:

Shooting Percentage: Heat (52%) Bucks (46%)

Three Point Shooting: Heat (42%) Bucks (27%)

Rebounds: Heat (43) Bucks (38)

Assists: Heat (31) Bucks (23)