HEAT 87, KNICKS 70: LeBron James led the way with 32 points, eight rebounds and five assists as visiting Miami turned it on in the second half to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.

Dwyane Wade added 20 points and Mario Chalmers hit five 3-pointers en route to 19 points for the Heat.

Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points on 7-of-23 shooting for New York, which was held to 31.9 percent from the field. The Knicks were playing without Amare Stoudemire, who had minor hand surgery after punching a fire extinguisher case in frustration after the Game 2 loss.

Fired up by the home crowd, New York held Miami to 36.4 percent shooting in the first half to take a 40-36 lead into the locker room.

But the Heat went on the defensive in the third quarter, limiting the Knicks to 3-of-15 shooting from the floor in the period. Wade scored nine straight points for Miami during a 9-3 burst midway through the quarter that gave his team the lead for good.

James took over in the fourth, burying a pair of 3-pointers during a personal 8-0 run to start the frame and totaling 17 points in the quarter. The lead stretched to 77-62 after back-to-back 3-pointers from Chalmers.

Thursday marked the 13th consecutive postseason loss for the Knicks, setting an NBA record.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Miami F Chris Bosh flew to Miami late last night to witness the birth of his son but took a private plane back and made it for the game. He finished with nine points and 10 rebounds in 37 minutes. … New York G Jeremy Lin (knee) is getting close to playing but is doubtful for Game 4. … The Knicks shot 4-for-20 from beyond the arc.