Without Wade, James lifts Heat but hurts ankle

MIAMI – The Miami Heat hardly missed Dwyane Wade on Wednesday, thanks in large part to LeBron James. Now, the Heat can only hope both superstars won’t be on the bench today in Atlanta.

James had 33 points and 13 assists, Chris Bosh added 22 points, and Miami routed the Indiana Pacers, 118-83, on Wednesday even without Wade.

James also grabbed eight rebounds as the Heat turned up the defensive intensity minus its All-Star guard. Wade sat out with a sore left foot, and his status for today’s game was uncertain.

Wade, a six-time All-Star, injured his foot in the second quarter at Charlotte on Dec. 28. He missed the first 10 minutes of the third period of that game but played regular minutes the rest of the game and in the two that followed. He skipped Wednesday’s shootaround, though.

The Heat had a scare late in the third quarter when James went down underneath the basket with a left ankle injury. He also was questionable for today’s game.

“It’s been better, but it feels OK right now,” James said. “We’ll see how I feel in the morning.”

James appeared to step on the foot of Indiana’s Paul George while attempting a fastbreak layup. After staying on the court for a few seconds, James got to his feet, prompting applause from the sellout crowd, and resumed breaking down the Pacers.

Still, the Heat could be without two of its three big stars in Atlanta.

“We will have to see,” coach Erik Spoelstra said when asked if James would play today. “He has sprained that same ankle every year, he says at least one time a year.”

Roy Hibbert had 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Pacers. Tyler Hansbrough scored 14 points.

Indiana had a miserable second quarter, going 1 for 15 from the field and committing 10 turnovers.

“Lack of execution, missed open shots and their defense — it was a combination of everything,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “A perfect storm.”

SLAM DUNKS

Ex-Husky Robinson signs with Warriors: Wanting to bolster their backcourt with some scoring punch off the bench, the Golden State Warriors signed former University of Washington guard Nate Robinson. The seventh-year pro is expected to join the Warriors today and will wear No. 2 when Golden State faces the Lakers on Friday, but it’s unclear how soon he’ll play. The 5-foot-9 Robinson, a three-time NBA slam dunk champion, has averaged 11.3 points per game for his career. He previously played for the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Celtics’ Allen ill: Boston guard Ray Allen missed Wednesday’s game against the New Jersey Nets because of an illness. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said the 36-year old Allen skipped the team’s shootaround earlier in the day and was told to say home because he wasn’t feeling well. “He’s human,” Rivers said. “We told him not to come.”

Fastbreaks: The Portland Trail Blazers assigned forward Luke Babbitt and guard Armon Johnson to the Idaho Stampede of the Developmental League. … Philadelphia, Memphis and New Orleans agreed on a multi-player trade involving front-court player Marreese Speights and young swingman Xavier Henry. The 76ers sent Speights to Memphis, the Grizzlies moved Henry to New Orleans, and the Grizzlies and Hornets each sent a second-round draft pick to Philadelphia. … Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph is expected to miss six to eight weeks after tearing a ligament in his right knee. … San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili will have surgery on his broken left hand and is expected to be out at least two months. … Oklahoma City Thunder reserve Ryan Reid will miss two to four weeks after having surgery to repair a broken nose.