Vlade meet Vlade.

Tonight, when the Heat hosts the Sacramento Kings, it's quite possible that two of the most affable big men to play for Pat Riley will tangle under the boards.

Since signing 7-foot-1 Vladimir Stepania on Sept. 28, Riley has likened the gangly center from the Republic of Georgia to his former Lakers center, Vlade Divac. Divac, 33, who is averaging 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists, has been the Kings' starting center since the 1998-99 season.

"He [Stepania] can run; he can pass; he can shoot," said Riley, who coached Divac in 1989-90. "He's a lot like Vlade [Divac] was."

Alonzo Mourning will return tonight after missing two games with food poisoning, and 6-10 Chris Gatling is expected to come off the Heat injured list to make his season debut, so Stepania's role most likely will be reduced. But Stepania, a four-year veteran whom many considered a long shot to make the Heat roster, took giant steps in earning Riley's trust the past two games while he and Sean Marks filled in for Mourning.