51.  Defensively, the Lakers can gamble more, and emotionally, the club will have its captain and enforcer back.

52.  Defensively, the Nets are still trying to learn the new trapping-switching system (a la Seattle) that Calipari has installed.

53.  Defensively, the Patriots will be without end Ferric Collons, one of their top run stoppers, who has an ankle injury.

54.  Defensively, the Rangers haven't fielded the first team.

55.  Defensively, the Ravens have a nice combination of experience and young legs.

56.  Defensively, the Tide has been hurt by a pair of academic losses, end Chris Hood and linebacker Steve Harris.

57.  Defensively, they have only allowed 19 goals, and two or fewer in nine of the 11.

58.  Defensively, they were lively, doubling Baker in the post and rotating quickly to prevent the Sonics from having clean shots at the hoop.

59.  Defensively, they've collapsed well on O'Neal and forced the Lakers into an outside shooting game that has mostly failed.

60.  Defensively, they've given up 119 points and 1,225 yards in those losses.