LeBron fires Heat to Pacers thrashing

Miami Heat forward LeBron James argues with an official during their NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Miami, Florida January 4, 2012.  [Photo/Agencies]

LeBron James carried the extra load without Dwyane Wade as the Miami Heat crushed the Indiana Pacers 118-83 on Wednesday to rebound from their first loss of the season.

James just missed a triple-double, posting 33 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds to ensure the Heat (6-1) kept their offense running smoothly while Wade sat out with a nagging foot injury.

Having lost to the Atlanta Hawks two days earlier to end their undefeated start, Miami quickly returned to business as usual.

They buried Indiana with a 33-12 second quarter, sparked by James Jones who caught fire with a trio of three-pointers in the period and finished with 14 points starting in place of Wade.

Chris Bosh added 22 for the Heat, who continued to pad out their lead and were never threatened by the visitors.

Roy Hibbert led the way with 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers (4-2) who managed just 34 percent shooting as they fell to their second loss in three games.