Coming off a down-to-the-wire win at Dallas the day before, the Lakers wanted to slow down the Nuggets but just couldn't keep up with their younger, more athletic and, yes, better-rested opponents.

NPR: Chandler Leads Nuggets Past Lakers, 119-108

Each year, it was a down-to-the-wire, nail-biter speech.

FORBES: Governor Kasich Goes Wild

They trail the powerful Vancouver Canucks two games to none, though a pair of down-to-the-wire losses suggests that Boston has a chance to make it a long series as they head to home ice for the next two games.

FORBES: Another Promising Season for NHL

As the story winds down, Ascher allows the high-wire act of the absurd and the sacred to descend to earth.

NEWYORKER: White Noise

He ran copper leads from the transformer to chicken wire on the chair seat and duct-taped it down.

NPR: 'Guys Read:' Encouraging Boys to Love Books

And this repeat match-up also goes down to the wire.

FORBES: Connect

J. (Oct. 31) -- As New Jersey's governor's race goes down to the wire, incumbent Gov. Christie Whitman is running hard, looking for votes on a hectic 97-stop, 10-day bus tour of the Garden State.

CNN: Whitman's Lead Shrinks In N.J. Governor's Race

Beyond the barbed wire, ruddy-faced North Korean soldiers put down their rifles Wednesday and stood shoulder to shoulder with farmers as they turned their focus to another battle: the spring planting.

NPR: NKorean Soldiers Put Down Arms To Help Plant Crops