4:45 LRN Sportscast April 26

The stakes continue to get higher for the New Orleans Pelicans with tonight’s game five versus the Phoenix Suns. History says the winner of game five goes on to win the series 85 percent of the time, and a loss tonight would also mean the Pels would have to win back-to-back games against the Suns, something that hasn’t happened in this series so far, and happened only four times to Phoenix all season long.

Pelicans forward Herb Jones was assessed a flagrant foul Tuesday afternoon for pushing Chris Paul during game four in what has been a physical and emotional series. The rookie has been tasked with harassing Paul defensively and seemed to frustrate the future Hall of Famer. Pels guard CJ McCollum says Jones is the right man for the job.

Cut 17 (19) “…the length.”

Game time is 9 pm.

LSU baseball looks for its fifth consecutive win and a season sweep of its series with UNO tonight at Privateer Park. The Tigers are 27-12 overall this season, and sit third in the SEC West standings at 10-8. It hasn’t been a smooth ride to this point, but LSU is still in position to make a late push in the conference standings. Coach Jay Johnson says his team has battled all year, and likes how they’ve handled the ups and downs.

Cut 19 (18) “…what’s next.”

You can catch the game starting at 6:30 pm on ESPN-plus.

In other action around the state, Southeastern will try to end fourth-ranked Southern Mississippi’s school record-tying 14-game win streak in Hammond tonight. UL-Monroe visits McNeese looking for a split in their season series, and Tulane is on the road to face South Alabama.