IN THE LANE

REUNION TIME: The 76ers’ addition of Dewayne Dedmon on the buyout market means a reunion with 2021-22 Heat teammate P.J. Tucker. Tucker said he could appreciate the 76ers’ interest.“Dewayne brings a versatile, tough big guy that is super vocal,”Tucker said.“He talks just as much as me. He’s loud and he’s got an aggressive voice and he’s been around. He knows how to play. So I think having those kind of guys on the bench to be able to come in on different nights and help us out, it’s gonna be huge for us down the stretch.”

FINDING BALANCE: Upon his arrival to the Heat, Kevin Love attempted to put perspective on his desire, at 34, to still play significant minutes, while also appreciating the need not to allow his ego to get in the way of what already is in place. For that, he used the example of when Mike Krzyzewski coached Team USA.“My ego,” Love said,“is like Coach K used to say with USA Basketball. He said, ‘No, I don’t want you guys to wipe the ego or get rid of it. You’ve got to bring it for the common purpose and the betterment of the team.’ And that’s kind of the mindset that I’m taking here.”

FINDING FRIENDS: Love said fitting in with the Heat also is eased by the easy-going presence of center Bam Adebayo, with the two already trading jibes on Instagram.“I’ve always said Jarrett Allen was the same way,” Love said of his former Cavaliers teammate.“Bam, those guys, they’re my favorite players.”Jarrett saved one zinger for Love’s departure, joking of the scenario of Cleveland’s final game before the All-Star break, “I was told he was going for milk and cigarettes and he just never came back.”

FASHION CHOICES: Among the first things that Love and Cody Zeller had to do upon their Heat arrivals from the buyout market was select the individualized numbering styles for their Heat’s mashup jerseys. Zeller said that could be the limit of his fashion impact in an otherwise wardrobe-driven locker room,“I have the least amount of fashion sense,” the 30-year-old veteran said.“So you’ll see me in a lot of Heat sweats, none of the pregame attire that most of the other guys will be wearing. So I’m pretty simple.”

WINNING TIME: Among the allures of his trade to the Phoenix Suns, Kevin Durant said, was Suns President James Jones having a proven championship record during his playing days with the Heat and Cavaliers. “We got a champion already that’s overseeing us,” Durant said of Jones, the former Heat forward, while also pointing to coach Monty Williams’ success on a Spurs championship staff.“So we got guys that have been there, and that’s half the battle, just knowing what it takes.”

LATEST CHANCE: Initially considered a throw-in from the Los Angeles Lakers in the trade that sent Rui Hachimura out from the Washington Wizards, former Heat guard Kendrick Nunn has found himself in the midst of a revival. He already has a supporter in Washington big man Kristaps Porzingis.“He helps us. He’s physical, plays hard. I’m happy about him joining us and giving us a spark. This guy, he was out for a year, and I know how it is,” Porzingis said, with Nunn missing all of last season with the Lakers due to a knee issue.“When he got traded here, his value was a little bit lower than it would be usually. I’m telling you, this guy’s only going to get better with each game.”

NUMBER

17

Charges taken this season by Kevin Love while with the Cleveland Cavaliers, before joining the Heat this past week. As a matter of perspective, the Heat leader in charges taken this season before Love’s arrival was Caleb Martin, with 12.