The New Orleans Pelicans won their fifth straight last night to move into first place in the Western Conference as the Pels defeated the Detroit Pistons 104-98. It’s the longest winning streak for the franchise since April 2018, and they’re doing it without Brandon Ingram who has missed the last five games with a toe injury. Zion Williamson continues to play well as he scored 29 points – his 4th straight game with 25 points or more. New Orleans will face the Suns tomorrow and Sunday who they lead for first place by a half a game.

LSU safety Jay Ward has declared for the NFL draft but will play in the Citrus Bowl. He’s played four seasons, but still had one more year of eligibility left because of COVID. The Tigers will face an interim coach in that January 2nd Citrus Bowl as Perdue’s Jeff Brown is returning to his Alma Mater to coach the Louisville Cardinals.

In college hoops last night, Southeastern topped Belhaven 107-71. Nicholls State fell to Texas Tech, 78-71.

The Saints are off this week, but that won’t stop the injury bug from cropping up yet again. That’s the case for Mark Ingram, who is likely done for the season after suffering a slight tear in his ACL during the Saints’ 17-16 loss to the Bucs, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

The 2022 state football championships kick off later today in the Caesars Superdome. Jeff Palermo has more on high school football’s premier event:
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”