NBA Loses Game Due To Lockout

The NBA, for the first time in its history, on Thursday called off a game because of a labor dispute.

The Oct. 12 exhibition between the Miami Heat and Israel's No. 1 team, Maccabi Elite, was called off because of the lockout imposed by the owners. The game had been scheduled for Oct. 12 in Tel Aviv.

"We are disappointed that our labor dispute has resulted in a cancellation of what could have been an exciting international competition," deputy commissioner Russ Granik said.

He added that there has been no progress in negotiations.

The league said it was the first time that it has had to cancel a game, preseason or regular season, because of a labor problem.

It had been the only major sport to avoid such a cancellation.

The league said the game will be rescheduled for October 1999.

The owners locked out the players on July 1 after failing to reach agreement with the players association on a new collective bargaining agreement.

The major effect of the lockout has been to prevent the signing of contracts, including those of free agents.

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