NBA games lost yesterday: 3.

Total games missed: 376.

Earliest estimated date season can start: Feb. 1.

Projected player salary losses (through Feb. 1): $535 million.

Negotiations: Five hours of talks yesterday failed to produce an accord. No further talks are scheduled.

Today's best canceled game: Toronto at L.A. Clippers. The real NBA die-hards either show up at the Sports Arena or tune their satellite dishes to this gem.

Pub Date: 12/28/98