It was the fifth win in six games for the Pelicans (44-37), who currently hold the eighth spot in the Western Conference and can clinch a trip to the postseason with a win in their final regular-season game, Wednesday night at home versus San Antonio. If the Pelicans lose to the Spurs, New Orleans could still earn a playoff berth if Oklahoma City also loses its final regular-season game.
The Pelicans got 22 points each from guards Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon.
Minnesota, which has now lost 11 in a row and is playing a makeshift lineup with several key players out of uniform, got 24 points from guard Zach LaVine, but did not hold a lead at any point after three minutes were gone in the first quarter. Forward Chase Budinger added 18 for the Timberwolves, who are now 16-65 and own the worst record in the NBA.
New Orleans entered the night tied with Oklahoma City in the Western Conference standings, but the Pelicans hold the playoff tiebreaker. With the Thunder beating Portland at home, the Pelicans needed a win to keep pace, and got it. If the Thunder had lost to the Trail Blazers, the Pelicans would have clinched a playoff spot.
New Orleans 22 28 23 27 — 100
Minnesota 20 15 27 26 — 88
NEW ORLEANS (100)
A.Davis 8-14 8-8 24, T.Evans 8-14 5-6 22, E.Gordon 7-14 4-6 22, Asik 3-6 0-0 6, Pondexter 0-5 0-0 0, D.Cunningham 2-4 1-2 5, Cole 3-8 0-0 7, R.Anderson 2-8 1-1 5, Ajinca 2-6 1-1 5, Douglas 2-5 0-0 4. Totals 37-84 20-24 100.
MINNESOTA (88)
LaVine 8-24 6-6 24, Wiggins 5-16 5-8 15, Budinger 4-7 9-10 18, Ju.Hamilton 3-7 1-2 7, Payne 1-8 0-0 2, Hummel 5-9 0-0 11, L.Brown 1-3 0-0 2, Onuaku 4-4 1-2 9. Totals 31-78 22-28 88.
3-Point Goals: New Orleans 6-21 (E.Gordon 4-8, T.Evans 1-1, Cole 1-3, D.Cunningham 0-1, R.Anderson 0-2, Douglas 0-2, Pondexter 0-4), Minnesota 4-14 (LaVine 2-6, Budinger 1-2, Hummel 1-2, L.Brown 0-1, Ju.Hamilton 0-1, Wiggins 0-2). Fouled out: None. Rebounds: New Orleans 48 (A.Davis 11), Minnesota 56 (Hummel 10). Assists: New Orleans 15 (A.Davis, T.Evans 5), Minnesota 19 (LaVine 7). Total Fouls: New Orleans 23 (Pondexter 4), Minnesota 22 (LaVine 5). A—13,009.
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