NBA : Referees, League Start Over on Negotiations

Negotiators for the NBA’s locked-out referees met with league officials in New York on Saturday, six days before the start of the season, but left feeling discouraged about the progress of negotiations.

The NBA locked out its referees Oct. 1, the day after their contract expired, and hired replacements to officiate exhibition games. If no new contract is agreed on, the two-man replacement crews could be on the court when the season opens Friday.

Veteran official Mike Mathis, one of the negotiators for the referees, said they made their third counterproposal to the league, requesting a 22% raise over a three-year contract. The NBA, he said, increased its offer from an average 6% to 6.4% for five years, including a 12% increase in the first year.

It was the first meeting between the sides since Oct. 12, and both sides said more talks in the next few days are possible.

*

Jamal Mashburn scored 28 points and Jason Kidd had 16, including key baskets on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Dallas Mavericks rallied from a 23-point deficit for a 102-97 exhibition victory over the Lakers at Dallas.

Cedric Ceballos scored 17 points and Sedale Threatt added 16 for the Lakers (3-5), who were without injured starters Vlade Divac, Anthony Peeler and Nick Van Exel. Maverick starting guard Jim Jackson played only 11 minutes in the first half before exiting with tendinitis in his left ankle.

Rookie Cherokee Parks added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks (2-6), who won their last two exhibition games.

*

Michael Jordan scored 25 points in 26 minutes at Chicago as the Bulls finished the exhibition season with a 116-94 victory over the Clippers.

Eric Piatkowski scored 23 points on eight-of-nine shooting--including seven of seven from three-point range. Piatkowski, who had 16 points against the Bulls (5-3) in the Clippers’ victory Friday night, had averaged only five points in his first four games.

The Clippers finish the exhibition season today against the Phoenix Suns.