Will Game 5 be the end for the Miami Heat or the start of an NBA playoff rally?
Welcome to Bulletin Board Material, the Miami Herald’s weekday roundup covering everything in the South Florida sports scene. A lot to discuss. Let’s get right to it.
Win or go home
It's a best-of-7 series and the Miami Heat has already lost three of the first four games.
So from here on out, the elimination factor kicks in. The reality that a loss ends the season amps up.
For the Heat, it's do or die.
That starts with the 8 p.m. tipoff at the Wells Fargo Center, the last opportunity for the Heat to find a way back into the series and the first of three opportunities for the Philadelphia 76ers to move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
And while it would be natural for the Heat to have doubt at this stage, after losing both home games in the series and seemingly falling apart every time the game hits the fourth quarter, the team is remaining optimistic about its hopes.
The Heat hasn't been eliminated yet, after all.
However, if it does envision a chance of extending the series, Miami might have to do it without Josh Richardson, who is questionable for Tuesday's game with a shoulder injury.
How will it all play out? Tonight will tell.
Dolphins dilemma: Draft need or best player?
It's the age-old question: Should an NFL team approach the draft by selecting the best player available on the draft board, or should it prioritize addressing the needs on their roster? The Dolphins, who have a lot of needs, will be in this very predicament on Thursday.
Our Armando Salguero's response to this: Why can't you do both?
An excerpt from Salguero's latest piece:
"The Miami Dolphins have told you they always want to pick the best player available in the draft.
And you believed it? Just like that?
The truth is the Dolphins might pick the best player available when they are on the clock during the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday — but that player will also almost definitely meet a need.
Because in ranking the players to determine which is best, the Dolphins move up players that meet needs.
So this team will draft the best player, but depending on need."
Armando's full column can be read here. A full list of the Dolphins top candidates for that pick at No. 11 can be found here.
More draft news
With the NFL Draft just two days away, it's officially crunch time.
The Miami Dolphins likely have an idea who they want to take with the 11th overall pick, but finalizing plans for the rest of the draft is just as important.
Which brings us to the confirmation of Dolphins visits with two more mid-to-late round prospects: Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro and BYU linebacker Fred Warner.
The strong-legged Pineiro was a rock for the Gators during his two seasons, making 38 of 43 career field goal attempts and nailing all five of his attempts from beyond 50 yards. He'll likely be a Day 3 pick.
Warner had 87 tackles last year and for his career recorded seven interceptions, 32.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
▪ Florida's Antonio Callaway is viewed as a "first-round talent," but can he overcome his off-field troubles?
▪ Trading back from 11 is a real option for the Dolphins — and this player is a top target if they do.
Another Marlins loss
Stop me if you've heard this one before: The Miami Marlins lost a baseball game.
This time, it was a 2-1 loss Monday to open the "Sewage Series" against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers offered discounted tickets for this three-game series as an apology to fans for a sewage spill that forced the cancellation of of an end-of-spring exhibition game against the Angels.
The stench is gone from Dodger Stadium, at least in its rawest form.
The Marlins, however, continued their stinky April despite yet another solid performance from young starter Jarlin Garcia. Miami has now lost five straight and is 5-17 on the year - tied for the worst start in franchise history.
Game 2 of the series is set for 10:10 p.m.Tuesday.
More news and notes
▪ Here are the Miami Dolphins veterans who need to be on high alert this week.
▪ FIU is banking on this first-time head coach to turn men's basketball into a big winner.
▪ Are ACC referees short-changing the Miami Hurricanes? UM says it hopes its fans boo.
▪ This South Florida recruit is the nation's No. 6 weak-side defensive end — and he's up for grabs.
▪ This St. Thomas Aquinas alum is leading Florida's backfield into 2018.
This story was originally published April 24, 2018 at 8:34 AM with the headline "Will Game 5 be the end for the Miami Heat or the start of an NBA playoff rally?."