Big Story:
The Marlins lose, the Heat win, the Panthers are up tonight and all's quiet on the Dolphins front.

No lyrics today, just a quote from a movie that kept running through my head during the Marlins game last night.
"That's all we got was one *expletive* hit?" – by Harry Doyle in the movie Major League

Marlins: (@ Cincinnati, 4:05 p.m.)
The buildup was great, the stadium was beautiful, the fans were jacked up, and the Marlins…well, were the same old Marlins.
I think the play that stuck out to me the most was when Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez stood and looked at each other as a slow ground ball went between them.
I could have sworn I saw manager Ozzie Guillen hit a massive *facepalm* at that time.
But yknow, the game was secondary in the grand scheme of things.
Last night was all about reestablishing Major League Baseball in Miami.
South Florida was on full display by ESPN and the Marlins last night and between the lavish stadium and all the pomp and circumstance, it was a great night for pro sports in Miami.
I was torn on the Muhammad Ali moment before the game. I love Ali and everything that he's done over the years.
I just hated to see him in such shape. It was really rough to see for a sports fan.
I understand what the Marlins were going for, I just think they could have used him in a much better role than they did.
But, anytime you're in the presence of "The Greatest of All-Time" something in the air makes you think you can Float Like a Butterfly and Sting Like a Bee.
As for the game itself, well, it was pretty ugly.
Miami never really threatened the Cardinals and Josh Johnson looked rough.
Remember though, it was his first live action regular season game in nearly a year, so we'll go easy on him.
The Marlins bats were as cold as a well-diggers butt in the Yukon.
The team had no chance to enjoy their new digs as they were on the road to Cincinnati after the game.
Today, the Marlins will take on the Reds in Cincinnati's home opener.
The Marlins will send Mark Buehrle to the mound to take on the Reds.
I think this will be Buehrle's first start in the National League, maybe ever.
He's a workhorse, so let's hope he can get the Fish back on the right track this afternoon against the Reds.

Heat: (Off Thursday, vs. Memphis on Friday)
Sometimes even the best players need a swift kick in the butt.
I think we saw something like that last night from the Heat.
Oklahoma City played as close as you can to being dirty without getting called for it.
They were physical and came ready to fight.
Miami was up to the challenge.
I think the turning point was when Thunder guard Russell Westbrook tried to tackle LeBron on a breakaway.
I saw LeBron jump up from there looking like he was ready to take Westbrook's head off and then wisely walked away.
First, kudos to LeBron cause if I'm 6'8" and weigh 270 and nearly get my head taken off, I'm ready to take someone's head off.
But LBJ and the Heat took it and almost used it as fuel for their fire.
LeBron put the first dagger in at halftime when he drilled a jumper with a hand right in his face.
Chris Bosh, who was setting some really vicious screens in the fourth quarter, turned the dagger and hit the kill shot with a little more than a minute to go.
Heck even Mario Chalmers played well last night, and I haven't been able to say that since the All-Star break.
I will say this though.
I think in the fourth quarter, it's time to hand over the point guard position to LeBron and let him go.
He's the most natural passer and playmaker I have seen on the court since Magic Johnson was playing in his prime.
Plus, his athletic ability would make him almost impossible to guard for any other point guard in the league.
It would allow you to run Battier and Miller, when healthy, in and out of the lineup on a consistent basis to really spread the floor.
Just a thought, but I was right about putting Turiaf in the starting lineup….I'm just sayin.
Some fun stats for you:
The Heat are 23-2 at home this season and have won 17 straight at the AAA.
The last time the Heat lost at home? January 22 against the Milwaukee Bucks. The only other loss at home: January 2 against the Hawks.
Still want to see some road victories in April, most notably next Thursday against the Bulls!
Then I'll feel confident about the playoffs.
Remember, the Heat have not lost more than three games in a row but one time this season.
On the flip side, they have won as many as nine in a row.

Panthers: (@Washington Capitals, 7:00 p.m., Fox Sports Florida/NHL Network)
All Florida has to do tonight is get one measly point.
Just one point.
Do that and they're in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 1999, I believe.
They have to go into Washington to play the Capitals, who are tied with the Sabres, for the final playoff spot.
Florida has never won their division, that I can remember, in team history.
A victory tonight will do that and give the Panthers home ice advantage in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
All we need is one point, but two points will be the best.
Here's my weak math skills at work, so go with me here.
If the Panthers get one point tonight, it will give them 93 for the season.
If Washington and Buffalo both win tonight, they will have 90 points on the season.
Therefore, even if Florida loses on Saturday night, neither the Sabres nor Capitals can overcome Florida's lead in the division or for a playoff spot.
So there's your one measly point that's needed for the playoffs and division to be secured.
C'mon Cats…..South Florida needs another pro team to make it to the playoffs to join the Heat!!!!!
Man, go back say three years, and you tell me if you thought the Heat and the Panthers would be the two best teams in South Florida.
Maybe, if I'm lucky, the Cats will play into the playoffs long enough so I could see a game at home on my birthday…though I'm not holding my breath just yet.

All that and more on CBSMiami.com/sports today.
Follow me @timkephart33 on Twitter for all the latest news and information you could ever want.
Oh yeah, forgot this one….
LeBron James, your NBA MVP!