More hope came from Thursday's labor negotiations in Manhattan. This meeting was only half as long as Wednesday's, and the BRI split was still not discussed, but more progress was made on system issues. And both sides see Friday as the day to make a deal, or at least get much closer to one.

"There are no guarantees that we'll get it done, but we're going to give it one heck of a shot tomorrow," David Stern said. Asked if he could see what a new CBA looks like, Stern said, "Yes."

“I think we’re within reach and within striking distance of getting a deal," said Billy Hunter.

Negotiations are expected to begin at 10:30 a.m. Friday with most of those covering the talks expecting the two sides to go deep into the night or even Saturday morning. Between the beginning of renewed bargaining on Wednesday through last night, negotiators have spent 21 1/2 hours together.

• NBA sides eager to get deal in next few days - Brian Mahoney - AP
• NBA, players on cusp of agreement - Adrian Wojnarowski - Yahoo!
• Stern on labor deal: Friday's the day - Ken Berger - CBS Sports
• Cautious Optimism as N.B.A. Talks Break for the Night - Howard Beck - New York Times
• NBA Lockout -- Sides wrap talks for night, will meet again Friday - Chris Broussard - ESPN
• Three reasons for the new mood - Henry Abbott - ESPN
• NBA Lockout On Verge Of Deal Creating Two Salary Caps - Tom Ziller - SB Nation
  
• Lockout update: BRI split to be discussed Friday - Chris Sheridan - SheridanHoops
• Labor Talks: Let’s Make A Deal (Video) - Sekou Smith & David Aldridge - NBA.com
  
• NBPA News Conference (Video) - NBA.com
• Stern and Silver News Conference (Video) - NBA.com