“He’s so unselfish, but he’s also 6-8 and can see the whole floor,’’ Bosh said. “He really does have a knack for everything because he can bait you and then make the quick pass. It makes it easier for us on offense. This is fun, man. We work extremely hard and push each other.’’

The term “hockey assist’’ hasn’t been uttered by the Heat publicly much this year although players say it is talked about a lot inside the locker room and at practices.

James said the art of looking for the early pass is something that was taught to him as a youth; Wade said current Indiana University coach Tom Crean stressed the hockey assist when both were at Marquette.

“It was a big thing at Marquette to get a hockey assist,’’ Wade said. “Coach rewarded us for it more than regular assists. You would come in and say, ‘Ten hockey assists tonight,’ and there would be something on your locker. If you didn’t have any you would have a big doughnut on your locker.’’

Home weary

The Heat has played just one game away from Miami this season and didn’t fare very well, falling 104-84 against the Knicks in New York’s season opener last Friday.

This road trip will definitely be a big test for the 4-1 Heat as Miami will play six games in nine days — with stops in Atlanta (Friday), Memphis, Houston, Los Angeles, Denver and Phoenix. Two sets of those games will come on back-to-back nights.

“I’m excited because this is another chance for our team to come together,” James said. “We’re a close team, but there are benefits to being away. This is an opportunity to play on other team’s floors and that’s something we all love.’’

• Rashard Lewis came off the bench as usual on Wednesday but had his biggest game since joining the Heat by scoring 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting.

“He’s getting his legs each and every day,’’ James said. “He went from layups and shooting everything short to dunking. He’s going to continue to get his legs. He didn’t play much last year. He’ll continue to get comfortable in his role here. We’re happy to have him.’’