New Orleans entered Saturday’s game focused on improving in several areas defensively, but an extended second-half dry spell on offense proved to be costly, while facing an opponent desperate for a victory. After holding a one-point halftime lead, the Pelicans scored just 14 points in the next 14 minutes, which helped stake Minnesota to a 15-point edge. The Timberwolves – who were playing without their top two scorers in 2020-21 – went on to earn just their second win over the last four weeks, after starting the regular season 2-0.
The Pelicans couldn’t take advantage of Minnesota DNPs by Karl-Anthony Towns (health and safety protocols) and D’Angelo Russell (rest in second game of back-to-back), finishing a lengthy road trip at 1-5.