The New Orleans Hornets haven't gotten to 10 wins this quickly in four years. The Minnesota Timberwolves haven't hit the 10-loss mark in such a short time since 1994.

The Hornets look to continue their strong start and hand the Timberwolves their sixth straight loss when they meet at New Orleans Arena on Monday.

New Orleans (10-5) is coming off a 98-89 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday that snapped a three-game losing streak. The Hornets didn't win their 10th game last season until Dec. 11, and are off to their fastest start since opening 10-4 in 2003-04.

New Orleans shot 46.3 percent from the floor and made eight of 15 3-pointers Saturday. The Hornets shot only 38.6 percent from the floor and made 13-of-64 (20.3 percent) of their 3s during the losing streak.

The Hornets also appeared to get their defensive problems fixed Saturday. New Orleans is one of the top defensive teams in the NBA, allowing an average of 92.2 points, but gave up 99.7 points per game during its skid.

"We played as a team at both ends of the floor,'' forward Peja Stojakovic said. "We knew we were coming in with a three-game losing streak and we knew we just had to play better basketball. And that's what we did. Defensively, we kept helping each other and communicating, which was our problem the past couple of games.''

Stojakovic had a game-high 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting against the Clippers after scoring just three points on 1-of-6 shooting in Friday's 99-71 loss to Utah. He had 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting - 4-of-6 from 3-point range - in the Hornets' 100-82 win over the Timberwolves on Nov. 17.

Point guard Chris Paul had 11 points and 10 assists Saturday, and is averaging 11.3 points and 8.7 assists in his last three games after missing two games with a right ankle injury. Paul missed New Orleans' victory over Minnesota earlier this month, but in six career games against the Wolves, is averaging 21.8 points - his highest against any Western Conference opponent.

Paul scored a career-high 35 points in a 99-96 win over Minnesota last Nov. 18.

The Hornets have won three straight and five of six over the Wolves.

While New Orleans has been one of the early season surprises in the NBA, Minnesota (1-10) is off to the worst start in the league. The Wolves are coming off a 94-87 loss to Atlanta on Saturday.

Minnesota didn't lose its 10th game last season until Dec. 13, and this is its poorest start since going a franchise-worst 1-13 to begin the 1994-95 season.

"We have 10? Already?'' forward Corey Brewer asked. "Ten came around quick.''

Minnesota has been outscored by an average of 11.6 points during its five-game skid. The Timberwolves have lost 17 of 18 dating to last season.

Saturday's defeat was especially tough for the Wolves, as they squandered a 21-point lead - the third-largest advantage they've blown in franchise history. They shot 66.0 percent in the first half to jump out to an 18-point halftime lead, but managed just 24 points on 26.5 percent after the break.

"We played scared,'' coach Randy Wittman said. "We played on our heels and we played not to lose instead of to win.''

Al Jefferson had 23 points and a season-high 16 rebounds against the Hawks for his ninth double-double of the season. He had 20 points and 10 boards against the Hornets earlier this month.