Los Angeles Lakers

Jazz: Utah held the Portland Trail Blazers to the lowest point total in NBA playoff history in its series-clinching, 102-64 victory on Sunday. The previous record was 68 by the New York Knicks on May 15, 1994, at Indiana. Utah limited Portland to 24 points in the first half, also a playoff record low. The previous mark was 28 points, by the Los Angeles Lakers in Milwaukee on April 7, 1974.Pub Date: 5/07/96

BASEBALL (AL) * Chicago White Sox -- Signed Kirk McCaskill (pitcher) to a three-year contract.BASKETBALL (NBA) * Chicago Bulls -- Activated Bill Cartwright (center) from the injured list. Waived Mark Randall (forward).* Miami Heat -- Announced they have matched the Los Angeles Lakers' offer sheet for Sherman Douglas (guard).FOOTBALL (NFL) * Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Announced the resignation of Phil Krueger (general manager).COLLEGE * Arkansas State -- Named Ray Perkins football coach.

In a surprising move, the Los Angeles Lakers fired coach Randy Pfund last night and replaced him with former superstar Magic Johnson. He will assume his duties Sunday. Johnson, 34, who led the Lakers to five NBA championships in his 12 seasons with the team, retired in November 1991 after learning he was infected with the virus that causes AIDS. After his retirement, he made a brief comeback, including playing for the 1992 U.S. Olympic team, before retiring again shortly before the 1992-93 season.

BaseballChicago White Sox -- Agreed to a 3-year contract with P Kirk McCaskill (10-19, 4.26 ERA with the California Angels) worth between $6 million and $7 million.BasketballChicago Bulls -- Activated C Bill Cartwright off the injured list. Waived rookie first-round draft pick F Mark Randall (1.7 ppg).Miami Heat -- Matched the Los Angeles Lakers' offer sheet to restricted free-agent G Sherman Douglas. The Lakers signed Douglas to an offer sheet reportedly worth $17 million on Dec. 13.CollegesC7 Arkansas State -- Named Ray Perkins football coach.

LOS ANGELES -- Duke's victory over Michigan in Monday night's NCAA championship game was the sport's most-watched game, college or pro, in U.S. television history, according to figures released yesterday by the A.C. Nielsen Co.CBS' coverage of the Blue Devils' 71-51 triumph was seen in 20.9 million households, topping the 19.8 million that viewed Villanova's 1985 upset of Georgetown. The pro record is 18.8 million for the seventh game of the 1988 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons.

"His big mouth could work stateside selling toothpaste or mouthwash." Bob Dorfman Advertising expert, on endorsement opportunities for Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen "Shaq can play defense without playing defense. Say you're an off guard and the ball's in your hands and you feel you can take your man off the dribble. But you see [O'Neal] waiting under the basket. Mentally, he just played defense on you." Lamar Odom Los Angeles Lakers forward, on the Miami Heat's Shaquille O'Neal

How do you stay calm before a game?Glen Rice, forward, Charlotte Hornets (recently traded to the Los Angeles Lakers): "I play video games. I am crazy about video games. Basketball and football are my favorites."Neil Smith, defensive end, Denver Broncos: "I get scared before every game. I don't stop being nervous until the game starts."Suzy Hamilton, middle-distance runner: "I listen to John Tesh music. His music inspires me. I also picture myself running across the finish line."VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.SIKIDS.

BasketballCleveland Cavaliers: Signed G Bob Sura and F Donny Marshall.Los Angeles Clippers: Renounced the rights to free-agent G Gary Grant.Los Angeles Lakers: C Sam Bowie announced his retirement.Minnesota Timberwolves: Signed F Sam Mitchell.San Antonio Spurs: Signed F Sean Elliott, C Carl Herrera, F-C Greg Anderson, F-C Brad Lohaus and G Doc Rivers.FootballHouston Oilers: Signed free-agent RB Marion Butts. Placed LB Al Smith on injured reserve.HockeyMighty Ducks of Anaheim: Assigned LW Alex Hicks, C J. F. Jomphe, D Pavel Trnka and D DarrenVan Impe to AHL Baltimore.

The Maryland GreenHawks released Daniel Artest on Friday. The power forward and brother of Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest was averaging 8.0 points and 5.6 rebounds this season. "We thank Daniel for his contributions to the GreenHawks organization both on the court and in the community," GreenHawks general manager Adam Dantus said. "We wish him all the best in his future endeavors." - From Sun staff and news services

Baseball Boston Red Sox -- Named Frank White, who spent 17 years as second baseman with the Kansas City Royals, manager of their short-season rookie league team in Winter Haven, Fla.Sunshine Baseball League -- Named Tommy John commissioner.BasketballLos Angeles Lakers -- Announced the retirement of G Magic Johnson.FootballIndianapolis Colts -- Suspended RB Eric Dickerson for 4 weeks for insubordination and conduct detrimental to the team, without pay, and fined him an additional week's pay.HockeyHartford Whalers -- Released C Barry Pederson.