Why was the 2012 NBA season shortened?

Related questions

1. What caused the 1998 NBA Lockout?
2. Why did NBA have a lockout?
3. Who won the NBA championship in 2009 and 2010?
4. What happens during a lockout?
5. WHO declares lockout and who declares strike?
6. When did the NBA start playing 82 games?
7. When did Stern retire?
8. Whats the difference between a strike and a lockout?
9. What does a lockout mean in NBA?
10. What is a player lockout?

Tags

1. #normal
2. #regular
3. #december
4. #games
5. #april
6. #months
7. #place
8. #began
9. #inactivity
10. #season
11. #ended
12. #because
13. #shortened
14. #nearly