NBA games lost yesterday: 4

Total games missed: 336

Earliest estimated date season can start: Jan. 22.

Projected player salary losses (through Jan. 22): $480 million.

Negotiations: Nothing scheduled.

Today's best game: Mavericks at Knicks. When Dallas went to New York last season, coach Don Nelson's instructions were for Michael Finley to dribble 22 seconds off the 24-second clock and then shoot -- even when his team was down 20 points in the fourth quarter.

Pub Date: 12/21/98