Owners, players still far apart as time ticks away

NBA commissioner denies there is a rift between team bosses as dispute continues

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - NBA club owners and players met in separate sessions with their constituencies on Thursday to explain the state of talks as the ongoing lockout reached its 76th day with no deal in sight.

Players gathered in Las Vegas, Nevada, where NBA players met NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith, who represented gridiron players in talks with the NFL in a lockout that ended in July after 4 1/2 months.