1.   And then they went out and won a gut check of a game against Boston Monday night to even that series at two games apiece.

2.   A few fleeting moments in each Olympics serve as a collective biennial gut check for American pride.

3.   After jeopardizing their playoff chances with a loss in Buffalo a week ago, this was a gut check.

4.   After jeopardizing their playoff chances with a loss to the Bills in Buffalo, N.Y., a week ago, this was a gut check.

5.   Breaking a two-game losing skid figured to take a gut check or two.

6.   But even as the Suns passed a character test, the Spurs passed a gut check.

7.   He had a gut check recently when a headhunter called.

8.   It might be a gut check, to see what kind of pride we have.

9.   Now comes the gut check.

10.   Players have gut checks.