Sports Agenda For Monday (4/11/11)

Big Story:
Well, well, well, it looks like the Heat finally put together the dominating performance that we expected all year. I'm not to read too much into things, but that was a thumping they gave the Celtics yesterday. And the Heat needed it. They finally got over the Celtics hump, and they look like they're almost ready for the playoffs.

Plus, the Marlins got thumped Sunday, but managed to take 2 of 3 from the Astros. And the Panthers season is mercifully over, just like their former head coach's tenure.

Heat: (@ Atlanta Hawks 7:00 p.m. Sun Sports)
The Heat got knocked around and tensions were flaring in the Sunday afternoon Celtics game. I liked how the Heat fired right back at the C's and didn't back down. What I really liked was looking at the box score and seeing everyone play, and everyone score and rebound. If they can continue on a streak like that, there's no one in the East who can matchup with them, period.

But speaking of the C's, remember when they were looking like an unbeatable machine? Yeah about that. Celtics g.m. Danny Ainge blew up his team to acquire Jeff Green? Green is soft and can't matchup with LeBron. That entire team should be kicking Ainge right now for getting rid of a low post beast like Kendrick Perkins. You think they wish they could have a do-over?

One thing the Heat need to improve on is free-throw shooting. They were 18-26 for the game against the C's and while that may not seem bad, that's probably about 5-6 points they left on the floor. In the playoffs, they need all those points. But wasn't it fun for one night to see the Heat play to their potential and just beat the snot out of the Celtics?

The best thing is that as a 2 seed, the Heat are now poised to play the Philadelphia 76ers. Trust me, that's a much easier out than the New York Knicks, who will now be matched up against the Boston Celtics. All the Heat need to do is handle their business against the Celtics and the Raptors, and the Playoffs are on like Donkey Kong.

Marlins: (off, next game @Atlanta Braves on Tuesday)
Well, the Marlins went to Houston and took 2 of 3 against the Stros. Anibal Sanchez got rocked Sunday and blew up his ERA to 6.97 for the season after giving up 13 hits and 6 earned runs in less than 5 innings of work.

Gaby Sanchez, Logan Morrison, and Omar Infanted continue to hit well for the season. All are hitting north of .270 and are contributing well for the men in green.

Tuesday night the Fish throw Chris Volstad against the Braves. Volstad got a no-decision in his last start. It will be the Marlins first regular season matchup against former Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez, who now manages the Braves.

If you're looking to watch a game, check out Wednesday night's matchup. It will feature a battle of aces in the NL East. Tim Hudson will start for the Braves against Josh Johnson of the Fish.

Panthers:
They got around to firing their coach…finally. I just wonder when someone is going to fire the entire franchise and start over from scratch with some people who actually know how to coach a hockey team.

Dolphins:
All's quiet on the Dolphins front…all eyes are turning towards the NFL Draft. The Fins have lots of options and several needs but the most glaring, to me, is along the offensive line.

There probably won't be a lot of good guards on the free agent wires, so investing a first-round pick in one is probably a great idea. But, at 15, they better be totally sold on someone because there aren't a lot of good guards available. I do have an idea though for a few guys they could look at very seriously.

First, as I've said in the past, Mike Pouncey is a strong possibility, especially as a guard. Another guy I was just thinking about was a tackle out of USC.

Tyron Smith is a physical beast. He has 36 ½ inch arms, is quick off the ball, and is strong. At 6'5, and 310 pounds, he'd be the perfect type of pulling guard the Fins desperately need. Of course, he's probably not going to fall to 15, but if he did and the Fins thought he could play guard, he'd be an intriguing pick.

I still think the Fins try to trade down to pick up a second-round pick. I think it will be easier this year due to the depth of talent on the defensive side of the ball. If one of the star defenders starts to fall, like Robert Quinn, I also think the Fins would jump on him in a heartbeat.