Q:. Don’t you think these games against the Celtics will give some proof on who they should keep/try to trade this off-season? – Tee, Queens.

A: Not with Jimmy Butler out. Right now, there is little point of reference of what exactly this team is, particularly with Terry Rozier also out. Because of Jimmy’s missed time during the regular season, as well, there is so much we still don’t know about this roster, as the calendar turns from April to May. The point of references is that combining the 82-game regular season, the two play-in games and these two playoff games against the Celtics, Butler, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo have played in a combined 28 out of those 86 games, for a combined 527 minutes. And that’s it.

Q: Ira, I enjoyed Wednesday as much as anyone. There is nothing like sending the Boston fans home early. But as I watch the rest of the series, and as I realize that Boston still has the far superior roster, I still can’t help but wonder what could have been if the Heat won that play-in game in Philadelphia or even gotten the No. 6 seed from the Pacers. There was real opportunity there against the Knicks or Bucks. Until the Heat back this up against the Celtics with another win, it’s still uphill, as the betting line for Game 3 shows. – Serge.

A: That ultimately could prove the case. And, yes, when you look at the rest of the series in the East, and realize that the Heat finished just one game behind the 76ers, Pacers and Magic. you certainly can see how there were pathways that offered more opportunities than this puncher’s chance against the Celtics. Perhaps the Heat will find a way against the Celtics. But if they do, it likely will require more than is needed to, say, push past the Knicks, Bucks or Cavaliers. When the Heat hit the fork in the road earlier this month, they left themselves with no choice but to take on this diesel rig headed in their direction.

Q: I’m crazy happy about this young core. In the biggest stage and against all odds they show they can compete at a high level. And most importantly, now they realize they can win. – Jurgis.

A: As Erik Spoelstra often notes, when you develop young players in winning systems and put them in competitive, meaningful situations such as these, that’s where you foster true growth. In essentially is what is the first year for both, Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. are getting the type of seasoning that young players can often wait years to experience. They now are learning what it takes to take the next step. The fact that they are contributing makes it win-win. It is similar to what Tyler Herro got to experience as a rookie in 2020.

The Los Angeles Rams selected Miami safety Kamren Kinchens with the 99th pick of the 2024 NFL draft. The junior earned back-to-back All-ACC First team honors in two seasons as a starter at Miami. Here’s what to know about Kinchens.

Kamren Kinchens scouting report

Kinchens was elite in his sophomore year, earning All-American and All-ACC First Team honors in 2022. He continued the strong play in 2023 with another All-ACC First Team nod because of his nose for the ball and toughness, despite missing two games with a head/neck injury. He’s a hard hitter, and is capable in run support. But NFL scouts are concerned with his lack of speed, and he has gotten mixed up in zone coverage before. But his instincts and ability to force takeaways make him an intriguing prospect for pro teams despite a lackluster day at the NFL combine.

Kamren Kinchens height, weight

Kinchens, who is from Miami and went to Miami Northwestern (Fla.) High School, is 5-foot-11 and 203 pounds.

Kamren Kinchens college stats

Kinchens tallied 162 tackles, including 99 solo tackles, in 34 games as a Hurricane. He also snagged 11 interceptions and broke up 26 passes in three years. Five of those picks and 10 of those pass breakups came in his junior campaign.

Kamren Kinchens highlights

Kinchens erupted for nine solo tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and two pass breakups against North Carolina, and combined for 11 solo tackles in back-to-back games against Florida State and Louisville. He had at least one pass breakup and one interception for three weeks in a row against Clemson, Virginia and NC State, and had at least six total tackles in two-thirds of games played last year.

Kamren Kinchens NFL combine measurables

Kinchens and fellow Hurricane James Williams tied for the slowest 40-yard dash (4.65) and 10-yard split (1.59) times among DBs. His 35 inch vertical ranked in the bottom third of his position group, and his 9-foot-2 broad jump ranked last out of 20 DBs that participated.

MIAMI – Federico Gutiérrez, the Mayor of Medellin, Colombia hosted a news conference Friday regarding the federal case of a Miami pharmacist which experts say is bringing new attention to the prevalence of child sex tourism in Colombia.

The suspect, Stefan Andres Correa, also appeared in Miami federal court.

Authorities said just as Correa stepped onto a Miami International Airport jet bridge to board a flight to Bogotá Friday, an outbound border search revealed the 42-year-old — traveling alone — was carrying about nine cellphones.

On some of those devices, Homeland Security Investigations agents based out of MIA would discover photos and videos of Correa raping young girls and a conversation with a sex trafficker about his plans to victimize an 11-year-old girl, prosecutors allege.

Court documents state that in a graphic series of text messages, Correa promised that both the trafficker and the girl would get $300,000 Colombian pesos — about $75 — and the girl would receive an iPhone, as long as he was allowed to rape her in Medellín.

Federal investigators revealed that Correa admitted to flying to Colombia on numerous occasions with the intent of engaging in sexual activities with minors on numerous occasions.

Investigators disclosed that Correa had traveled to Colombia approximately 45 times in the past two years, a revelation that sparked outrage from Medellin’s mayor.

During the conference, the mayor expressed incredulity over the lack of intervention regarding Correa’s actions and announced new measures to combat child sex tourism in Medellin. These measures include the seizure of properties from owners who enable the sexual exploitation of minors.

Read more: Miami pharmacist’s trafficking case casts spotlight on ‘horrific’ child sex tourism in Colombia

Larry Gumbiner, an international consultant and retired high-level U.S. diplomat, emphasized the dark underbelly of child sex tourism in Medellin, which has flourished amid the city’s international tourist boom.

“It built into a crescendo when they found an American citizen with two underage girls in his hotel room,” said Gumbiner. “I think it has exploded to the realm of public opinion and the political system has to now deal with it.”

Gutiérrez recently announced new measures to combat sex tourism including seizing properties from owners that allow the sexual exploitation of minors.

“I think finally for the political system, it reached a breaking point where the mayor felt he had to do something,” said Gumbiner.

In federal court Friday, Correa’s public defender agreed to a pre-trial determination at this stage, in a case that is also being heard in the court of public opinion in Colombia.

His next court appearance is scheduled for next week.

The United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of Florida Spokesperson told Local 10 News in a statement Friday: “The Department of Justice does not provide arrest/booking photos.”

A Walmart spokesperson also confirmed Correa last worked as a pharmacist for Sam’s Club in Orlando back in 2021.