Heat 96, Bucks 77: LeBron James collected 17 points and eight assists as Miami cruised past visiting Milwaukee to earn its fourth straight win.

Chris Bosh added 15 points and Mario Chalmers scored 14 for the Heat, who maintain a percentage-points lead over the Indiana Pacers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. James Jones and Toney Douglas had nine points apiece as Miami dominated on the defensive end.

Ramon Sessions scored 19 points to lead the Bucks, who lost their third straight. Jeff Adrien scored 14 points and Zaza Pachulia hauled in 16 rebounds as Milwaukee lost to the Heat for the second time in a week.

Bosh opened the game with a 3-pointer and Miami never trailed. Jones’ 3-pointer stretched the lead to 29-15 late in the first quarter and James’ basket closing out the second sent the Heat into the break with a 56-38 cushion.

James closed the third with a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it a 77-57 lead and Chris Andersen’s dunk just past the midway point of the fourth extended the lead to 90-63 as Miami cruised. The Bucks committed 21 turnovers, leading to 19 points for the Heat.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Miami held the Bucks to a season low scoring total in an 88-67 win at Milwaukee on Saturday. … The Heat have won nine straight in the series, including a first-round sweep in the playoffs last spring. … Miami G Dwyane Wade (hamstring) missed his fourth straight game and Ray Allen (illness) sat out his fifth.