71.   The former starting right guard who opened holes for Barry Sanders tries to open doors for victims of spinal-cord injuries who feel shut out from life.

72.   The Jets recently cut Todd Burger, the starting left guard.

73.   The Kings lost their other starting guard in the first game when All-Star and leading scorer Otis Birdsong was injured in the third period.

74.   The Nets fell out of close contention midway through the second quarter, when Casey subbed for his starting guards.

75.   The San Antonio Spurs placed starting guard Vinny Del Negro on the injured list with a sprained ankle, the team said.

76.   The situation at starting guard is more fluid.

77.   The Sacramento Kings activated starting guard Bobby Hurley, who had been sidelined for the past seven games with a strained muscle in his left leg.

78.   --The shift of Hersey Hawkins from starting guard to reserve, to accommodate the main offseason acquisition, Belly, er, Billy Owens, is a bust.

79.   The starting guard Peter Sauer struggled.

80.   The usual starting left guard, James Christensen, will make the trip, but is expected to see limited action because of a knee injury.