The New Orleans Pelicans are home tonight to host the Los Angeles Lakers after back-to-back road victories over the Brooklyn Nets and the Detroit Pistons. The Pels are in eighth place in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Clippers for the final playoff spot. New Orleans is also a half game back of the Nuggets for sixth placet.

The top teams in the Southland Conference battle each other tonight. First place Nicholls hosts second place Sam Houston State. The Colonels have a half game lead over the Bearkats and they are looking for their first win over Sam Houston since 2013.

UNO and Southeastern Louisiana are tied with the Bearkats for second place and they face off tonight in Hammond. The Lions have won three in a row, while the Privateers have won five of their last six.

Also tonight, Northwestern State hosts Houston Baptist, McNeese visits Central Arkansas and Tulane hosts East Carolina.

LSU fell to 5-8 in the SEC with an 80-65 loss to Alabama last night. The Crimson Tide shot 55-percent and knocked down 10 three-pointers. They also had some highlight reel dunks. At one point, Bama had a 25 point lead. The Tigers host Missouri on Saturday. The Tigers won their fifth straight by beating Texas A-and-M 62-58 last night.

There were reports former Saints quarterback Doug Nussmeier would be named as an offensive analyst on Ed Orgeron’s staff at LSU. But the ex-offensive coordinator at Alabama, Michigan and Florida has found another job. He’ll reportedly serve as tight ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys.

WAFB reports Coach O has purchased a home at the University Club in Baton Rouge. Orgeron’s current home is in the Mandeville-area.

Coach O is interested in signing Houston quarterback Grant Gunnell and the four-star prospect has re-opened his recruitment. Gunnell has decommitted from Texas A-and-M, because of the coaching change and other factors.