With tentative deal finally in place, three big games set for opening day

NEW YORK -With a tentative labor agreement in place, National Basketball Association owners and union officials went back to work on Saturday, relaying details of the deal with hopes of cementing it quickly.

After a 149-day lockout that ultimately will cost the league approximately a half-billion dollars in losses, a marathon bargaining session produced a handshake agreement earlier in the day - actually, just a few hours before daybreak.