A couple of notes on each of five So Flo teams:
### The Heat's slim playoff hopes gained some clarity over the past six hours. And this is where we stand: Six things --- exactly six --- must happen for the Heat to avoid missing the playoffs for only the second time in Dwyane Wade's 12 seasons.
To qualify for the playoffs, Miami must beat Orlando at home on Monday and win at Philadelphia on Wednesday; Brooklyn must lose at home against both Chicago on Monday and Orlando on Wednesday; and Indiana must lose Tuesday against Washington and Wednesday at Memphis.
The Heat would win a three-way tie with Brooklyn and Indiana because of a superior record in head-to-head matchups among the three.
The Heat can no longer be the No. 7 seed and play Cleveland.
Miami can only be the No. 8 seed, which would mean a first-round matchup with Atlanta. But asking the Nets to lose at home to Orlando --- plus the other five things needed --- is obviously a long shot.
### For those wondering about the Heat's chances of keeping its top-10 protected lottery pick, Miami still has the 10th worst record in the league, and if that stands, the Heat would have a 91 percent chance of keeping that pick.
But Utah could tie the Heat if it loses to Dallas and Houston and if Miami wins its final two games.
Indiana and Brooklyn also can still finish with the same record as Miami if those teams go 0-2 and the Heat 2-0; Miami would make the playoffs if all three do. The Nets would make the playoffs over the Pacers if those teams finish tied but with a better record than Miami.
For draft purposes, a pre-lottery coin flip would break ties for teams with the same record.
Miami could achieve the ninth-worst record if it loses twice and if Charlotte beats Toronto and Houston. Then a coin flip would break a Heat/Hornets tie before the lottery.
Players projected for the mid-to-late lottery range in a deep draft include power rotation players Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky), Myles Turner (Texas), Kevin Looney, (UCLA) and Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin) and three small forwards with three-point range: Kansas’ Kelly Oubre Jr., Arizona’s Stanley Johnson and Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker.
Over the past 20 years, there have been far more quality players taken 10th overall than otherwise, including Paul George, Caron Butler, Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, Paul Pierce and Eddie Jones.
### UM, already shaky on the offensive line, is facing the possibility of playing part of next season without likely starting tackle Taylor Gadbois, who might be suspended several games for an undisclosed rules violation, according to a source. There’s no final decision, and resolution is not imminent.
Gadbois is coming off a knee injury that sidelined him this spring.
(We have a sense of the violation but am not comfortable reporting it without additional confirmation.)
### Why did Manu Lecomte and DeAndre Burnett leave the UM basketball team?
According to a source briefed on the situation, the school was left with the impression that Lecomte wanted more playing time and Burnett more shots.
One concern conveyed inside the basketball program last season was a suspicion that some of the young players were playing more for themselves than each other.
But UM is still in good shape at guard with Angel Rodriguez, Sheldon McClellan, Davon Reed, Ja’Quan Newton and James Palmer.
### Could opening week for the Marlins have gone any worse? A 1-5 start and three players injured, included pitcher Henderson Alvarez, who's underdoing an MRI on his elbow, as our Clark Spencer reports.
David Phelps or Brad Hand would be the logical options to replace him in the rotation if necessary, with Phelps owning the better career resume.
Takeaways from the first week: The bottom of the order is a major problem. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is hitting 2 for 14, Adeiny Hechavarria 1 for 22... If Mat Latos doesn't pitch well again on Monday, then there are big problems. The Marlins need him to be the Latos they thought they were getting.... Closer Steve Cishek has been shaky: 33.75 ERA and a blown save in two appearances.
### The good news on the Marlins’ poor start: Over the past four seasons, 14 teams started 0-3 and six made the playoffs, most recently the 2014 Angels, according to our friends at Elias Sports Bureau.
### Veteran receiver Hakeem Nicks, who would make sense for Miami to consider, would welcome Dolphins interest but as of late last week, was waiting to hear back from the Dolphins while planning other visits.
The Dolphins want a veteran receiver who not only would produce, but also set a good example for the younger receivers. Michael Crabtree, Greg Jennings and Wes Welker remain in the mix. Jerrel Jernigan and Santonio Holmes are among others available.
### Cornerback Charles Gaines isn't the only Louisville defensive back with whom the Dolphins have spent time. They also brought in safety Gerod Holliman.... The Dolphins’ draft search has included multiple calls on a former standout rugby player in New Zealand (BYU running back Paul Lasike). He had 79 carries for 364 yards last season (4.6 per carry). He also caught 25 passes for 267 yards.
### Good to see the Panthers wrap up a new one-year contract with Jaromir Jagr that could be worth between $3.5 million and $5.5 million. He had six goals and 12 assists in 20 games with the Panthers and his presence had a beneficial effect on several of the Panthers' young players.
"To get a superstar of his ability with his leadership qualities, you could see the young guys looked up to him in the locker room,'' GM Dale Tallon said. "The play of [Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov] improved.… Just a great role model for our young guys and gives us incredible ability to score goals in critical situations. Shame on me for not trading for him sooner.''
### I asked Jagr today about playing in a market where he goes largely (not entirely) unrecognized in public.
"Lets change it,'' he said. "They could see when watching TV it's a different Panthers with young guys with a lot of talent and speed. They can beat anybody. It's up to us how we play. They're going to come. It's just a matter of time.''
### Twitter: @flasportsbuzz
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