21.   The Knicks begin defense of their Eastern Conference title Friday night against the Celtics at Boston Garden.

22.   The Rangers today begin defense of their first American League West championship.

23.   The ruling comes the day the Red Wings begin defense of the Stanley Cup with a season-opening game against the Calgary Flames.

24.   The Rangers will begin defense of their first American League West title with right-hander Ken Hill as their Opening Day starter, manager Johnny Oates said yesterday.

25.   The Sprint ultimately came down to a duel between Webb and Kelly Robbins, who began her defense in this tournament Thursday.

26.   The Stars begin defense of the Cup on Friday, when they play the Pittsburgh Penguins in the regular-season opener at Reunion Arena.

27.   The Times plans three pages of articles and three of text and excerpts as the president begins his defense in the House impeachment inquiry.

28.   The tobacco industry will soon begin its defense, which is expected to take several weeks.

29.   When the Ravens open camp on Monday and begin defense of their Super Bowl title, HBO Sports and NFL Films will be there to track their every move.

30.   A substitute no longer, the Arsenal midfielder will be firmly in the spotlight when France begins its title defense in South Korea and Japan.