James Worthy

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- With Magic Johnson cheering, instructing and exhorting them from the bench, the Los Angeles Lakers won their fourth game in a row last night, beating the Atlanta Hawks, 111-89.Johnson returned to the Forum for the first time since his stunning retirement and was met by a thunderous standing ovation from his former Lakers teammates, the Hawks and the crowd of 16,750.Johnson spent more time on his feet than sitting on the bench. He clapped and pointed when one of the Lakers made a good play and, at timeouts, he was right in the middle of things as the players huddled around coach Mike Dunleavy.

"The Slick Boys," by Eric Davis, James Martin, Randy Holcomb, with Luchina Fisher. Simon and Schuster. 225 pages. $25.The appropriate response to "gangsta rap" should be "cop rap." Well, three undercover Chicago police officers thought so. They formed their group, "The Slick Boys," after hearing the NWA rap song "F*CK the Police" blasting from car stereos and the buildings in the Chicago housing projects where they worked.Eric Davis, James Martin and Randy Holcomb have performed before school groups and community groups.

Halfway through the Black Eyed Peas' live show, rapper Taboo hops on a neon-glowing motorcycle and, using suspension wires, rides it out above the crowd — all while singing "Rockin' to the Beat." "You never expect a flying motorcycle to hover over your head during the show," he said. "It takes the show to a different level." Inspired by the '80s movie "Tron," the motorcycle is one of the more eyebrow-raising moments in a concert that's loaded with dizzying lights, props and special effects.

BaseballnTCBaltimore Orioles -- Optioned P Anthony Telford (3-3, 4.95 ERA) and C Jeff Tackett to Class AAA Rochester. Released IF Pete Stanicek from minor-league camp.Cleveland Indians -- Placed IF Ever Magallanes on waivers for purpose of sending him to minor leagues. Optioned P Kevin Wickander (0-1 in 12 1/3 IP) to Class AAA Colorado Springs. Sent C Brian Johnson to minor-league camp for assignment.Kansas City Royals -- Released P Greg Mathews (0-5, 5.33). Sent C Andy Allanson and P Archie Corbin to minor-league camp for assignment.

LOS ANGELES -- Magic Johnson has lived his basketball life by the credo that it is indeed better to give than to receive. And last night, after giving everyone in the Forum another Magic moment to remember him by, he wanted to be sure to thank the people who gave him life."

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Paul Westphal made good on the first part of his prediction, but the Los Angeles Lakers came remarkably close to sweeping the Suns out of the first round of the playoffs and making the Phoenix coach eat his bold words.Phoenix held off a series of comebacks by the Lakers, who cut a 14-point deficit to one with 19.7 seconds to play, and stayed alive in the Western Conference first-round, best-of-five series with a 107-102 victory last night.The Suns -- who got 27 points from Charles Barkley, 18 from Richard Dumas and 17 from Kevin Johnson -- are attempting to become the fourth team in NBA playoff history to win a best-of-five series after losing the first two games.

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- For the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday was the first night of the rest of their lives, and it wasn't pretty.They started their post-Magic Johnson era by falling, 113-85, to the Phoenix Suns, their worst loss since April 22, 1990, when Pat Riley played the reserves in the regular-season finale at Portland.This time, what remains of their first string absorbed the pounding.James Worthy, trying to step up, came out firing, but missed his first nine shots and wound up four for 22.The Lakers shot 32 percent.

GuardsEveryone talks of the dream matchup between Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, the game's two premier guards, but it is doubtful they will go one-on-one. Johnson can post up anybody. Jordan relies on slashing and incredible leaping ability. John Paxson and Byron Scott are basically jump shooters, with Scott having more speed.Edge: Los Angeles.ForwardsSam Perkins, who can score inside or outside, was in top form for the Lakers in Western finals. Horace Grant benefits most from the double-teaming of Jordan by breaking free on the baseline.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Losing is taking its toll on Muggsy Bogues.The Baltimore native wasn't his usual spirited, tenacious self in the Charlotte Hornets' 114-103 loss to the Orlando Magic yesterday.He played so poorly that he blamed the loss on himself. He missed nine of 10 shots, scored two points and committed three turnovers in the first three periods."I wasn't on top of my game," Bogues said. "If you ask me, I cost us the game. I didn't have the energy I normally have, that kick, that shot I need to give this team."

BaseballBaltimore Orioles -- Signed OF James Audley, OF Curtis Goodwin, OF Glenn Tatro, OF Basilio Ortiz, P David Forney, P Scott Conner, C Stephen Tallman and 1B Jeremy Winget.Boston Red Sox -- Recalled P Jeff Plympton from Class AAA Pawtucket.California Angels -- Placed P Fernando Valenzuela on the 15-day DL with abnormal blood flow in the region of his heart.Kansas City Royals -- Signed OF Jeffrey Leonard to a contract with Class AAA Omaha.Los Angeles Dodgers -- Assigned the contract of C Barry Lyons to Class AAA Albuquerque.