'Hockey assists' all the rage with the Heat

MIAMI (AP) - LeBron James is not wearing skates, Dwyane Wade is not on the right wing and Chris Bosh has not been transformed into a defenseman.

That all being said, the Miami Heat are working some hockey principles into their repertoire.

The notion of "hockey assists'' is fast becoming part of the Heat vernacular. In short, it's the pass that sets up the pass that sets up the basket, much like in hockey, when two players are commonly credited with helping out on a goal.

So far, it seems to be working. Entering Thursday's games, the Heat were leading the NBA with an assist-to-turnover ratio of nearly 2-to-1, one of many reasons why the reigning champions have won four of their first five games.