After getting off to a 1-12 start, it was easy to write off the New Orleans Pelicans. However, since then the Pels have gone 33-32. Last night, New Orleans secured a spot in the NBA’s Play-In tournament with a 123-109 win over the Sacramento Kings, giving them an opportunity to reach the postseason for the first time since the 2017-18 season. After the victory, head coach Willie Green talked about the steady progress the Pels have made this year.

Cut 21 (18) “…extended season.”

The Pelicans have three games remaining in the regular season…next up, the Portland Trail Blazers at home Thursday night, before visiting Memphis and hosting Golden State. New Orleans is one game up on San Antonio in the standings.

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At LSU’s Pro Day, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. showed why he is considered to be one of the top prospects heading into this month’s NFL Draft, even after playing in just 10 games over the last two seasons. Stingley ran an unofficial 4.37 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of 38.5 inches. Both numbers would have ranked among the top five at the NFL combine. Stingley also impressed scouts in individual drills, likely cementing a place in the top 10 of the draft.

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LSU men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon continues to fill out his staff with the hirings of Cody Toppert, Casey Long, and Ronnie Hamilton as top assistants, and Tim Kaine as chief of staff. Both Long and Kaine served under McMahon at Murray State. Hamilton, known as a top recruiter comes from Ole Miss, and Toppert was previously at Memphis.

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The Masters, golf’s first major tournament of the year tees off tomorrow, and betting money is following Tiger Woods as he prepares to make his return to the PGA Tour after missing more than a year due to a near-fatal car crash. Woods has 40-1 odds to win his sixth green jacket. Justin Thomas is the favorite at 12-1.