61.   But after victories against a bunch of average-to-worse teams, a victory against a solid team like Oklahoma State was a much-needed boost.

62.   But can they keep that razor edge against a team like Colorado, especially with six players on the injured list?

63.   But first-half losses to teams like Vancouver, Golden State and New Jersey took care of that.

64.   But Heath says teams like Kent can keep players for four years and develop them in a cohesive unit that can beat anyone on any given day.

65.   But if players can switch teams like teen-agers clicking the television remote, they must be prepared for teams shuttling them around like office temps.

66.   But inexperience cost them victories in games against mature teams like those of the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia, nations that have since broken up.

67.   But Hardaway causes severe matchup problems for teams like the Knicks with smallish guards.

68.   But in the era of free agency, veterans are darting en masse from team to team like salmon leaping upstream.

69.   But teams like the visiting Kansas City Royals realize that rain merely postpones the inevitable.

70.   But teams like the Islanders come in and they score.