On the eve of the Philadelphia 76ers’ media day, Caleb Martin issued a heartfelt goodbye to his former organization.

The ex-Miami Heat forward made a name for himself under coach Erik Spoelstra’s teachings, earning a four-year, $32 million contract with the Sixers. He issued his farewell message to the Heat and their fans on Sunday with an explanation for the delay after agreeing to terms with Philadelphia’s front office in early July.

“Man…. Sorry for the delay 305. It took me a lil longer to post this cause I wasn’t ready to say goodbye just yet lol,” Martin wrote in an Instagram post. “Miami has changed my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined. Put me in position to better my life, my families life and my career. Felt like I was on a Two-way contract just yesterday tryin to make a name for myself all over again. The fans, my teammates, my coaches, and the city embraced me with open arms, and I always tried to return the favor thru leavin it out on the court every night.”

It was speculated Martin turned down a much greater extension (in the realm of five years, $65 million) from the Heat in hopes of finding a bigger deal in free agency. The 29-year-old went on to admit this is not how he envisioned his time in Miami ending.

“Definitely not how I expected things to come to an end, but nothin can ever replace the memories and love l’ve gained for this city and organization over the past 3yrs,” Martin wrote. “305 will always feel like a second home and have a special place in my heart 4L. Thank u all for everything Heat Nation!!”

Martin is expected to take on a prominent role as the starting power forward alongside the Big Three of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George. The 76ers are viewed as a top championship contender in the Eastern Conference as well as the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks.

“Now with all of that being said … I’m grateful and excited for the beginning of my next chapter as a PHILADELPHIA 76er!! Let’s get to work!!” Martin concluded.

After three years in a Heat uniform filled with countless memories, the Miami fanbase is wishing Martin nothing but the best with the next chapter of his career.

MORE HEAT NEWS

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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.

The Miami Dolphins will look to even their record at 2-2 on the season when they face the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night.

Here’s a roundup of national predictions on this game.

Analysis: The Titans are 0-3 and the Dolphins have major issues at quarterback without Tua Tagovailoa. Tennessee went into Miami and rallied last year to beat the Dolphins behind Will Levis. He hasn’t been the same quarterback this year, turning it over too much, but I think he can have success in this one. The Titans will win it.

Prediction: Titans 25, Dolphins 21

Jarrett Bell: Dolphins 20, Titans 17

Chris Bumbaca: Titans 21, Dolphins 16

Nate Davis: Titans 20, Dolphins 13

Tyler Dragon: Dolphins 20, Titans 17

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Titans 24, Dolphins 13

Lorenzo Reyes: Dolphins 17, Titans 13

Analysis: The Titans are in disaster-control mode. Tennessee has a -7 turnover ratio, and they have averaged just 16 points per game as a result. Skyler Thompson averaged 5.6 yards per attempt in his first start for Miami in Week 3, and, if his rib injury is healed, he will be asked to do more because the Titans have a tough run defense. It’s a true pick ’em, but we’ll favor the home team. Miami might be limited, but they are taking care of the football. 

Prediction: Dolphins 23, Titans 20

Analysis: I’m not sure the NFL had this in mind when they scheduled the Tennessee Titans and the Miami Dolphins to play a Week 4 Monday Night Football contest. The Titans might be the worst team in football, and the Dolphins can’t move the ball at all without Tua Tagovailoa. Tim Boyle could start for Miami at quarterback, and it’s hard to see the Dolphins scoring more than 17 points in this game. If it’s not Boyle, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley could start after joining the team a few weeks ago. This will be a really low-scoring contest where turnovers and field position decide the final outcome. Take the Titans to get their first win of the season, as they’ll likely lean on their rushing attack to “hide” Will Levis.

Prediction: Titans 18, Dolphins 13

Analysis: Nobody believes in Mike McDaniel anymore. No one is saying he’s cool anymore because he raps along to popular songs during pre-game stretches. Heck, his team is an underdog to a winless Titans team this week. Obviously, McDaniel lost quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but there should be enough firepower on this offense to not be as terrible as it was last week. The Titans do have a good defense that was somehow embarrassed by former teammate Malik Willis last week, but Tyler Huntley or Skylar Thompson should still be able to get Tyreek Hill or De’Von Achane the ball in space. If the Dolphins start Tim Boyle, then McDaniel really has lost his fastball, and ignore the next sentence. We’re going with the home underdog, as Levis’ crazy turnovers (and bad pocket presence — he’s been sacked 15 times) make it really hard to predict a first Titans win. Even against that stiff of a coach.

Prediction (against the spread): Dolphins plus 1.5 (lines may vary depending on outlet)

Analysis: Yes, the Dolphins season is a definite crossroads, and while the loss at Seattle can be explained because it came against a quality opponent at one of the toughest venues in the NFL, there can be no excuse against one of the three winless teams in the league. That includes no excuses for injuries because while Miami will be without Tua Tagovailoa, Terron Armstead and Kendall Fuller, the Titans are dealing with injuries to their two best defensive players, Jeffery Simmons and Tyreek Hill nemesis L’Jarius Sneed. The Dolphins are not at a stage right now where they can be expected to blow out any team, no matter how bad that team, and we certainly don’t see that happening here. But we do expect the pass rush to take advantage of the error-prone Tennessee offense and for Huntley to be able to do just enough to get the offense moving at least better than it did last week. ESPN play-by-play man Chris Fowler said during his call of the thrilling Georgia-Alamaba game Saturday night he wasn’t expected these kind of fireworks Monday night, and he’s probably right. But at this point, all that matters is a Dolphins win.

Prediction: Dolphins 17, Titans 13

Lionel Messi celebrated his game-tying goal on Saturday night with another Marvel Universe celebration that quickly went viral.

Messi scored in the 67th minute in Inter Miami’s 1-1 draw against Charlotte FC, then placed his hands by his side, palms down, and began to raise his heels — for liftoff just like Iron Man.

The celebrations drawing inspiration from Marvel characters began during Messi’s first season with Inter Miami a year ago and continued Saturday. He looked toward his kids in the stands at Chase Stadium as he performed the Iron Man gesture.

Messi previously celebrated goals by reaching out for Thor’s hammer, crossing his arms over his chest like the Black Panther and shooting out webs like Spider-Man.

Messi told the Miami Herald last August the celebrations began after watching Marvel movies with his sons before they began school last year, shortly after his Inter Miami arrival.

“My three sons are still on vacation, have not started school yet, so every night we watch Marvel superhero movies. They came up with the idea and asked that whenever I have a game and score a goal, I do a Marvel superhero celebration. That’s how it started, and we continued that ritual,” Messi said. “Each time we watched a new movie, we would practice a goal celebration. But I only do them for home games, when the kids are here, near me, so we can share those moments. When I see them in the stands, that is when I do them.”

Messi and Inter Miami will play in what could be the biggest game of the MLS season on Wednesday against the reigning champion Columbus Crew.

With a win, Inter Miami could secure the MLS Supporters’ Shield, a title given to the team with the best regular-season record. It would be Messi’s second title with Inter Miami, after winning Leagues Cup 2023.