MIAMI -- The defensive effort was closer to Miami Heat standards. LeBron James made it difficult to notice anything but offence. James scored 33 points on 13 for 21 shooting -- with an array of post-up moves getting him going early, then a barrage of 3-pointers fueling a big third-quarter push -- and the Heat encountered little trouble on the way to a 118-95 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night. James scored 17 points in the third quarter, his best 12-minute stretch of the season so far and an indicator that a balky back that slowed him in the seasons first couple weeks is improving. "Its getting better," James said. "It feels a lot better. Still a little sore ... getting a lot of work put on it so I can get to 100 per cent. But its getting better every day and thats a good thing." Michael Beasley scored 19 points and Mario Chalmers finished with 15 points and seven assists for the Heat, whose biggest victory margin before Tuesday was a 12-point triumph over Chicago on opening night. Chris Bosh scored 10 for Miami (5-3). Miami played without Udonis Haslem (back) and Ray Allen (ill). Shane Battier started in Haslems place. "It wasnt perfect," said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, whose team was coming off a final-second loss to Boston on Saturday. "There were still some areas we definitely need to improve on, in terms of the details and discipline. But at least the effort, the effort, the activity was better, the disposition right from the beginning and it carried through once we got into the rotation. Guys were much more focused and bringing that competitive spirit." John Henson and Gary Neal each scored 18 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 11 for Milwaukee -- all three of them putting up those points off the Bucks bench. Caron Butler was the only double-digit-scoring starter for the Bucks (2-4), finishing with 10. "They shot almost 60 per cent today so theres no way we can win a game like that," Henson said. "We just have to get better." The Heat have scored at least 100 points in each of their eight games so far, extending the teams franchise-record for such a start, but what carried much more significance in the collective eyes of the two-time defending NBA champions were the defensive numbers. Milwaukee shot only 35 per cent in the first three quarters, before scoring 33 points against an array of what largely was Heat second- and third-teamers in the final 12 minutes. "Its been a long 48 hours in this building, but at least we were able to respond with a better game," Spoelstra said. "And I think our guys felt better looking each other in the eye in the locker room tonight." James gave the Heat a shot of adrenalin late in the half, when he and Chalmers teamed up for yet another entry on Miamis alley-oop highlight reel. Dwyane Wade grabbed a deflected ball and got it to Chalmers, who drove down the lane against Milwaukees Khris Middleton -- then simply lofted the ball straight up, knowing James was trailing the play. The result was predictable. James soared past Middleton for the dunk, the Heat took a 56-45 lead into the half, and the leagues four-time MVP then took over in the third quarter. "Best player in the world," the Bucks O.J. Mayo said. James 17, Bucks 17 -- that was the score in the third quarter, after the Heat star made 6 of 9 shots in the period, including four 3-pointers. He also drove for one particularly emphatic slam, and the 84-62 lead that Miami carried into the fourth ensured he would get the rest of the night off after logging only 30 minutes. "There were moments were I was very disappointed particularly when people were driving to the basket and were moving out of their way," Bucks coach Larry Drew said. "I will not tolerate that. That will not be accepted, I dont care who it is. If theyre going to the basket, weve got to challenge, weve got to foul then and make them earn it from the free-throw line. We cant be moving out of peoples way." NOTES: Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather was courtside, and the Brazilian national soccer team was also in attendance. ... Beasleys fourth point was the 5,000th of his NBA career. ... Drew, on how his team is going to be short-handed without Ersan Ilyasova, Luke Ridnour and Larry Sanders: "There will be some guys who will probably play out of position, but this is what being short-handed is all about." Ersan Ilyasova, Luke Ridnour and Larry Sanders: "There will be some guys who will probably play out of position, but this is what being short-handed is all about." Dallas Cowboys Charles Haley Jersey .C. -- Charles Oakley, one of the NBAs all-time tough guys, may not return to the Charlotte Bobcats bench next season because of a painful back condition he says was caused during an assault last year in Las Vegas. Dallas Cowboys Deion Sanders Jersey .J. Mayo made seven three-pointers and scored 25 points, Ersan Ilyasova added 20, and the Milwaukee Bucks placed seven players in double figures in a 130-110 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers, who lost their 11th straight game on Monday night. http://www.cowboyscheap.com/94d-cheap-co...-cowboys.html.m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Packers by 3RECORD VS. SPREAD — New England 7-4, Green Bay 5-5-1SERIES RECORD — Tied 5-5. Dallas Cowboys Chuck Howley Jersey . With timely hitting and good pitching, the Marlins are one win away from sweeping the slumping Houston Astros. Dallas Cowboys Michael Irvin Jersey . Sijsling, ranked 74th in the world, was leading 6-0, 4-1 when his Italian opponent called it quits after just 39 minutes on court. In a match pitting together two qualifiers, Michal Przysiezny of Poland defeated local favourite Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (4) for only his second Tour win of the season.LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Veterans Jason Motte, Mark Ellis and A.J. Pierzynski have been left off the St. Louis Cardinals 25-player roster for the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.The team announced its roster Thursday, when the Cardinals worked out in 95-degree heat at Dodger Stadium.The Dodgers have yet to release their roster. The deadline is Friday before the teams meet in Game 1.The Cardinals chose 12 pitchers for their roster: left-handers Randy Choate, Sam Freeeman and Marco Gonzalez; and right-handers John Lackey, Lance Lynn, Seth Maness, Carlos Martinez, Shelby Miller, Pat Neshek, Trevor Rosenthal, Michael Wacha and Adam Wainwright, who will start Game 1.ddddddddddddCatcher Yadier Molina will be backed up by Tony Cruz.The infielders are Matt Adams, Matt Carpenter, Daniel Descalso, Pete Kozma, Jhonny Peralta and Kolten Wong. The five outfielders are Peter Bourjos, Randal Grichuk, Matt Holliday, Jon Jay and Oscar Taveras. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '