Labor Trouble Brewing

The National Basketball Association Labor Relations Committee recommended that owners reopen the collective bargaining agreement, a move that could lead to a work stoppage, a person close to the situation told Bloomberg News.

The nine-member committee made its recommendation in a 17-page written report to the league’s Board of Governors, which will vote on the measure during a special session on Monday in Dallas.

The collective bargaining agreement, which took effect in 1995 and runs through the 2000-2001 season, has been the object of scorn from owners who blame it for ninefigure player contracts and uncontrollable movement of young players.

The contract allows the league to reopen negotiations in any of its final three years. When owners vote, a simple majority - 15 of 29 teams - will be enough to reopen. Owners likely will embrace the recommendation of the committee, team executives have said.

Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik said at least a third of the league’s teams are losing money, proving the contract isn’t working.

“I don’t think there’s any NBA owner who would disagree with that,” he said. “I think the point of where you might have the debate is whether we should go back to collective bargaining this year, or wait a year or two or three.”

Billy Hunter, the executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, couldn’t immediately be reached to comment.

If the owners vote to reopen, the current contract will stay in effect until July 1. Owners could impose a lockout or players could strike after that date.

The union and league have had a cool relationship this season, unable to agree on a marijuana-testing policy.

On the courts

Karl Malone scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half as the Utah Jazz recovered from a blowout loss to Charlotte with a 91-79 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Friday night at Philadelphia.

The Jazz have won 19 of their last 21 games.

At Orlando, David Benoit came off the bench to replace injured Nick Anderson and scored 19 points with eight rebounds as the Orlando Magic defeated Portland 102-87.

Coupled with New Jersey’s loss at Indiana, it moved the Magic within a half-game of the Nets for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

At Indianapolis, Chris Mullin scored 17 of his 20 points in the third quarter, then watched from the bench as the Indiana Pacers got their final 12 points from the foul line in a 99-92 victory over the New Jersey Nets.

Alonzo Mourning had 25 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks as the Miami Heat held off the upsetminded Golden State Warriors 93-87 in Miami.