LAKERS VS. CELTICS: TO TELL A TRUTH

Will the real Lakers please stand up!

They better, because Sunday they tangle with their old nemesis, the Boston Celtics. CBS (Channels 2 and 8) covers this major clash, starting at 12:45 p.m.

It’s only the second--and final--meeting during the regular season, because of the ridiculous NBA scheduling. Here are the two powers, two major attractions, only playing each other twice a season.

The Celtics pulverized and embarrassed the Lakers Jan. 22 when, before a nationwide viewing audience, they dispatched the Lakers 110 to 95 in Boston’s ancient Garden. But Sunday the Celtics are here at the Forum, giving the home-court advantage to Lakers. And they can use it, the way they’ve been up and down the last few weeks.

One interesting statistic not often mentioned: Over the years, even the glory years when Elgin Baylor and Jerry West played (and beat the Bill Russell bunch on occasion), the Celtics led 80-54 in the series between the two. Maybe that’s why Kareem Abdul-Jabbar isn’t quitting yet. There’s some catching up to do.

Dick Stockton, Tom (Wide Body) Heinsohn and Pat O’Brien will be the reporters on Sunday’s telecast on CBS.

Looking ahead to next week, the Lakers have a couple of TV dates on Channel 9. They’ll play the Pacers Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., and the Nets Friday at 6:30 p.m.

ABC’s new Sunday boxing series seems to be picking up an audience. Until baseball arrives on ABC, what else is on, outside of junk sports?

A pair of heavyweights meet Sunday, undefeated Mike Tyson (16-0) vs. Jesse Ferguson (14-1) over Channels 7, 3, 10 and 42 at 2:30 p.m., a two-hour delay from the live origination.

The impressive 19-year-old Tyson is 16-0 in knockouts! Twelve in the opening round! Not since Rocky Marciano has any boxer KOd his first 16 opponents.

There’s no exotic or renown locale for the fight. It originates, of all places, on the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. And where’s that? Troy, N.Y. A second bout follows on “Wide World of Sports,” heavyweights Carl (The Truth) Williams (17-1) vs. Mike Weaver (18-11-1).

ROUNDUP: Today, Tennis, International Players tourney, 9 a.m. ESPN . . . Auto Racing, Daytona Beach, 10:30 a.m. (2)(8) . . . Basketball, UCLA vs. Arizona State, 11:30 a.m. (2)(8) . . . Basketball, Georgetown vs. Villanova, noon (4)(36)(39) . . . Soccer, noon (34) . . . Sports Saturday, Boxing, 1:30 p.m. (2)(8) . . . Golf, Hawaiian Open, 2 p.m. (4)(36)(39) . . . Skiing, U.S. National Championships, 2 p.m. (7)(10) . . . Pro Bowlers Tour, 3 p.m. (7)(3)(10)(42) . . . Basketball, USC vs. Arizona, 3:30 p.m. (4)(36) . . . Wide World of Sports, 4:30 p.m. (7)(3)(42) . . . Basketball, Rockets vs. Clippers, 7:30 p.m. (5) . . . Hockey, Kings vs. Washington, 7:30 p.m. Prime Ticket . . . Basketball, Cal vs. Stanford, 8 p.m. ESPN.

SUNDAY: Auto Racing, Daytona 500, 9 a.m. (2)(8) . . . Basketball, Notre Dame vs. Duke, 10 a.m. (4)(36)(39) . . . Golf, Hawaiian Open, 1:30 p.m. (4)(36)(39) . . . SportsWorld, Melrose Track and Field Games, 3:30 p.m. (7)(3)(10) . . . Basketball, Oregon State vs. Washington State, 3 p.m. (2)(51) . . . Hockey, Boston vs. Minnesota, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN).