1.   ASU also got a balanced effort.

2.   It was a remarkably balanced effort.

3.   Majerle broke the Lakers down the stretch, but the Suns got a balanced effort.

4.   The blowout resulted from a balanced effort, as five Trojans scored in double figures.

5.   In Minneapolis, playing without their top two scorers for most of the game, Minnesota turned to a balanced scoring effort and held off Miami.

6.   In Phoenix, Kevin Johnson led a balanced effort by the Phoenix starters, and the Suns locked up the seventh playoff spot in the Western Conference.

7.   Michigan State, which kept on winning after losing stars Mateen Cleaves and Morris Peterson from its title team, got another balanced effort.

8.   Michigan State, which kept on winning despite losing Cleaves and Peterson from its title team, got another balanced effort.

9.   Meanwhile, the United States insisted it was making balanced efforts to end the conflict.