Hornets-Timberwolves Preview

By JEFF BARTL
Posted Dec 27 2010 12:31AM

Chris Paul isn't having a dream season for the New Orleans Hornets by any means. He's scoring the least amount of points since his rookie season and is below his career average in assists.

When facing the Minnesota Timberwolves, however, Paul seems to take his game to another level.

New Orleans goes for its third straight victory for the first time since mid-November on Monday night when it visits the Timberwolves, who will try to avoid a seventh straight loss to the Hornets.

New Orleans (18-12) is coming off a come-from-behind 93-86 victory over Atlanta on Sunday, led by Paul's 22 points and eight assists. Paul scored 13 in the third quarter, helping the Hornets overcome a nine-point halftime deficit.

The star point guard shot 10 of 17 against the Hawks after attempting only eight shots and scoring 12 points with 14 assists in Wednesday's 105-91 win against New Jersey. Coach Monty Williams said Sunday's performance was more reminiscent of how important Paul is to his squad.

"That was just Chris Paul being Chris Paul," the first-year coach said.

Paul had only four points at the half before breaking out in the third, when the Hornets outscored the Hawks 28-16. He's averaging 16.3 points - his fewest since posting 16.1 as a rookie in 2005-06, and his 9.8 assists are the lowest since posting 8.9 in an injury-shortened 2006-07 campaign.

"I told him, 'Hey, you have to be a scorer for us. Our offense is kind of stagnant there. You've got to be aggressive and be ready to score,"' teammate Jarrett Jack said.

Paul seems to heed that advice against the Timberwolves, as he's averaging 21.6 points and 10.4 assists in 14 career meetings. Reaching those numbers again may be likely given that Minnesota ranks last in the NBA allowing 110.1 points per game.

The Timberwolves (7-24) gave up fewer than 100 for only the fourth time in 13 games Sunday with a 98-97 victory over Cleveland to snap a season-high seven-game slide. Michael Beasley scored with 5.9 seconds remaining and finished with 28 points - the third straight game in which he's surpassed 20.

"Everybody just kind of rallied around each other," Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis said. "It wasn't a good ballgame for us. I don't think we played particularly well, but we played well in spots to get a win."

Beasley also helped Minnesota overcome a slow night from Kevin Love. The NBA's leading rebounder with 15.6 per game, Love didn't score until there was 9:10 remaining, and finished with 16 points and 18 boards.

"It was a slow game for me," Love said. "I don't know if it was Christmas or if it was the food I had yesterday. I was sucking wind out there. I was a little slow those first three quarters."

Minnesota has lost six straight to New Orleans by an average of only 7.5 points since a 116-108 home victory on Jan. 23, 2009.

Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Beasley leads Wolves to win over stumbling Hornets

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
Posted Dec 27 2010 11:40PM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) After a horrendous start to the season, the Minnesota Timberwolves are starting to show signs of overcoming their fourth-quarter jinx.

Their latest victory may have been their most complete performance of the season, and it came at the expense of a New Orleans Hornets team that is tumbling back to earth after an 11-1 start.

Michael Beasley had 30 points, nine rebounds and a career-high seven assists to lead the Timberwolves to a 113-98 over the Hornets on Monday night.

Wes Johnson added a career-high 24 points and made six 3-pointers for the Timberwolves, who have won back-to-back games for just the second time this season.

"That's the type of team game overall, offensively and defensively, that we're really pushing our guys to get to," coach Kurt Rambis said.

Chris Paul had 22 points and 13 assists for the Hornets, who lost their seventh straight road game and are 7-12 since their terrific start.

David West added 23 points, but New Orleans allowed the Timberwolves to shoot 53 percent from the field and 11 for 23 from 3-point range while losing to a team that entered with just seven victories on the season.

"I think this one we're going to be mad at for a long time," Paul said. "Of course, you've got to get over it, but at the same time, we should have beat this team. Bad, bad, bad loss for us. I don't know, they just beat us."

The Timberwolves trailed by three at halftime but Johnson hit four 3-pointers in the third quarter, including three in a row, to help Minnesota build an 11-point lead.

The Timberwolves, the youngest team in the league, have had a heck of a time closing out games so far this season, blowing double-digit leads almost on a nightly basis. The Wolves have blown seven leads of at least 10 points this season, most recently a 15-point third-quarter lead against Utah last week.

Beasley's 3-pointer gave them a 92-80 lead that held with just over 7 minutes remaining. Instead of tightening up, forcing bad shots and committing turnovers, the Wolves played with discipline and patience down the stretch.

Jonny Flynn hit a 3-pointer, Kevin Love converted a three-point play and Beasley added one more from long distance to put the game away. Love overcame a slow start to finish with 16 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Wolves beat a team with a winning record for the first time all season.

"We played well in the fourth quarter, too," Love said. "That's been our Achilles' heel all season. We finally got a win over a team with an above .500 record."

After a big first quarter, the Hornets had no answer for the quicker, sharper Timberwolves.

The Hornets shot 60 percent in the first quarter, using a 10-0 run en route to a 35-point first quarter.

The Timberwolves are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, giving up more assists than any other team. Paul feasted on them early and often, finding open cutters for dunks and wingmen for open jumpers, a problem that has plagued the Wolves all year long.

West had 11 points in the first period and New Orleans was pounding the best rebounding team in the NBA on the boards until Kurt Rambis inserted Nikola Pekovic, a bruising center who injected the Wolves with some much-needed toughness on the inside.

Throwing his 290-pound frame around, Pekovic helped jumpstart a 12-2 run that got Minnesota back in the game.

"I don't think we're going from start to finish," said West, whose Hornets have dropped three straight road games to teams with a losing record. "We have spurts and stretches where we're solid defensively. In terms of completion, we aren't going from start to finish."

The Wolves held the Hornets to 63 points over the final three quarters, playing the kind of tenacious help defense that hasn't been present all season.

"When you show you can shut down a team that's in the playoff chase, that gets you excited," Timberwolves swingman Martell Webster said.

NOTES: Pekovic returned from a four-game absence with a sprained left ankle. ... Minnesota G Luke Ridnour got a demonstration technical foul in the first quarter after being whistled for an over-and-back violation. He gave a dismissive wave to referee Kane Fitzgerald, who called him for the technical. He finished with 12 points and 11 assists. ... Marco Belinelli scored 11 points but was torched by Johnson in the third quarter when Monty Williams shifted Trevor Ariza to guard Beasley.

Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Hornets-Wolves notebook

By Jim Beilby, for NBA.com
Posted Monday December 27, 2010 11:37PM

THE FACTS: With games this week against the Lakers and the Celtics, perhaps the New Orleans Hornets were looking past their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. If so, that was a fatal mistake as Minnesota overcame a slow start and defeated the Hornets handily 113-98.

Trailing by 12 points in the first quarter, Minnesota used balanced scoring and a huge game from Michael Beasley (30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists) to build a 19-point lead on their way to their eight victory of the season. They outscored the Hornets 86-63 in the final three quarters of the game.

With the loss, the Hornets' road woes continue. They have dropped their last seven games on the road and have not won on the road for over a month (Portland on Nov. 26).

QUOTABLE: "I thought our guys did an incredible job tonight. I thought they did a really, really good job at both ends of the floor especially coming off of a back to back scenario where we are traveling. We got off to a sluggish start which was a little frustrating, we just weren't active defensively, we weren't moving the ball offensively. Once we kind of a got a feel for the game, I thought we kind of excelled and took off."
-- Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis

THE STAT: For the second night in a row, Minnesota made double-digit 3-pointers. Last night in Cleveland, Minnesota made 12-for-23 3-pointers. Tonight they finished the game 11-for-23 and did so despite only making two of their first 11. Minnesota came into the game ranked fifth in the NBA in 3-point shooting (.385).

TURNING POINT: Trailing by three at half, Minnesota picked up their defense and found the range from beyond the arc early in the third quarter, outscoring the Hornets 24-10 over the first two-thirds of the quarter and building a eleven point lead that they never relinquished. Minnesota's rookie shooting guard Wes Johnson made three straight 3-pointers in that run.

QUOTABLE II: "It was unreal.... We really couldn't get our offense going because we were picking up after that every time. I think after this one we're just going to be mad at for a long time. Of course you've got to get over it, but at the same time, we should have beat this team. Bad, bad, bad loss for us."
-- Hornets point guard Chris Paul

ROOKIE WATCH: Wes Johnson scored a career-high 24 points and was 6-for-8 from beyond the arc.

NOTABLE: While Kevin Love started the game slowly (not scoring until well into the second quarter), he finished the game with 16 points and 11 rebounds, his 17th consecutive double-double. All of Minnesota's starters scored in double figures, just the second time all season that has happened.

UP NEXT: For the Wolves, Wednesday vs. Denver, Saturday vs. New Jersey, Sunday @ Boston. For the Hornets, Wednesday vs. Lakers, Friday @ Boston, Saturday @ Washington.

• Hornets: Banks, Green, Mensah-Bonsu
• Timberwolves: Gaines, Hayward, Tolliver

• Hornets: --
• Timberwolves: Flynn, Ridnour

• Lead Changes: 3
• Times Tied: 2

• Arena: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Officials: #14 Ed Malloy, #47 Bennie Adams, #35 Kane Fitzgerald
• Attendance: 11679
• Duration: 2:16

New Orleans Hornets (18-13)		Minnesota Timberwolves (8-24)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Milicic vs Okafor (Ridnour gains possession)
	11:42	Johnson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Okafor (1 ST)
Paul Driving Layup Shot: Missed	11:37
Ariza Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	11:36
Ariza Tip Shot: Made (2 PTS)	11:36 [NOH 2-0]
	11:21	Johnson Jump Shot: Missed
Paul Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:20
West Layup Shot: Missed	11:14
Paul Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	11:12
West Layup Shot: Missed Block: Milicic (1 BLK)	11:08
	11:07	Milicic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:52	Love 3pt Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	10:51
Okafor Jump Shot: Missed	10:36
	10:35	Milicic Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:15	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	10:13
Okafor Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Paul (1 AST)	10:07 [NOH 4-0]
	09:52 [MIN 2-4]	Beasley Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Milicic (1 AST)
West Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Ariza (1 AST)	09:34 [NOH 6-2]
	09:22 [MIN 4-6]	Beasley Pullup Jump shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (1 AST)
Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed	09:05
	09:04	Love Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:56 [MIN 7-6]	Johnson 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (2 AST)
Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed	08:38
Okafor Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	08:36
	08:25	Milicic Foul : Defense 3 Second (0 PF)
Paul Free Throw Technical (1 PTS)	08:25 [NOH 7-7]
Ariza Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: West (1 AST)	08:22 [NOH 9-7]
	08:07	Love Layup Shot: Missed Block: Okafor (1 BLK)
Belinelli Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:06
West Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Paul (2 AST)	07:56 [NOH 11-7]
	07:39 [MIN 9-11]	Milicic Jump Hook Shot: Made (2 PTS)
West Step Back Jump shot: Made (6 PTS)	07:11 [NOH 13-9]
	06:49	Milicic Jump Shot: Missed
West Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:48
Paul Driving Layup Shot: Made (3 PTS)	06:42 [NOH 15-9]
	06:35	Team Timeout : Regular
West Foul : Personal (1 PF)	06:30
	06:24	Ridnour Turnover : Backcourt Turnover (1 TO)
	06:24	Ridnour Technical
Paul Free Throw Technical (4 PTS)	06:24 [NOH 16-9]
Ariza Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	06:10 [NOH 18-9]
	05:50	Beasley 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	05:49
Ariza Step Back Jump shot: Missed	05:35
West Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	05:33
Belinelli 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Paul (3 AST)	05:24 [NOH 21-9]
Paul Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	05:13
	05:13 [MIN 10-21]	Ridnour Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	05:13 [MIN 11-21]	Ridnour Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
West Step Back Jump shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Ariza (2 AST)	04:59 [NOH 23-11]
Belinelli Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	04:44
	04:44 [MIN 12-23]	Johnson Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)
	04:44 [MIN 13-23]	Johnson Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)
	04:28	Johnson Violation:Kicked Ball
Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed	04:16
	04:15	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:11 [MIN 15-23]	Johnson Driving Dunk Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (3 AST)
West Jump Shot: Missed	03:59
	03:58	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	03:51 [MIN 17-23]	Milicic Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Johnson (1 AST)
Belinelli Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Paul (4 AST)	03:35 [NOH 25-17]
	03:15 [MIN 19-25]	Milicic Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Love (1 AST)
Belinelli Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Johnson (1 ST)	02:54
	02:49 [MIN 21-25]	Milicic Driving Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Johnson (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:41
Belinelli Substitution replaced by Thornton	02:41
	02:41	Love Substitution replaced by Webster
Okafor Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Thornton (1 AST)	02:23 [NOH 27-21]
	02:23	Milicic Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Okafor Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)	02:23 [NOH 28-21]
	02:14 [MIN 23-28]	Milicic Dunk Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Beasley (1 AST)
Paul Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	01:55 [NOH 30-23]
	01:37 [MIN 25-30]	Ridnour Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
West Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Paul (5 AST)	01:18 [NOH 32-25]
	01:18	Beasley Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Ariza Substitution replaced by Pondexter	01:18
	01:18	Ridnour Substitution replaced by Flynn
West Free Throw 1 of 1 (11 PTS)	01:18 [NOH 33-25]
	01:06 [MIN 27-33]	Beasley Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Flynn (1 AST)
Paul Layup Shot: Missed	00:52.8
	00:51.9	Flynn Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	00:43.9	Flynn 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:42.5	Team Rebound
	00:42.5	Milicic Substitution replaced by Love
	00:42.5	Johnson Substitution replaced by Brewer
Paul Substitution replaced by Jack	00:42.5
Okafor Substitution replaced by Smith	00:42.5
Pondexter Foul : Personal (1 PF)	00:37.8
	00:25.9	Flynn Jump Shot: Missed
Pondexter Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:24.9
Smith Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: West (2 AST)	00:03.0 [NOH 35-27]
	00:00.4	Love 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 1st Quarter
New Orleans Hornets (18-13)		Minnesota Timberwolves (8-24)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Thornton Jump Shot: Missed	11:46
Team Rebound	11:44
	11:41	Flynn Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Jack Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	11:41
Team Rebound	11:41
Jack Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)	11:41 [NOH 36-27]
	11:31	Webster 3pt Shot: Missed
Thornton Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:30
Smith Jump Shot: Missed	11:16
Pondexter Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	11:15
Pondexter Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	11:13 [NOH 38-27]
	10:47	Webster Jump Shot: Missed
	10:45	Brewer Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
Jack Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	10:45
West Substitution replaced by Ariza	10:45
	10:45	Brewer Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	10:45	Team Rebound
	10:45	Brewer Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:45
Jack Jump Shot: Missed	10:24
	10:23	Flynn Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:07	Webster Layup Shot: Missed Block: Smith (1 BLK)
Thornton Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	10:05
Thornton Jump Shot: Missed	09:59
	09:58	Love Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	09:50 [MIN 29-38]	Webster Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Beasley (2 AST)
Smith Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	09:50
Thornton Substitution replaced by Belinelli	09:50
	09:50 [MIN 30-38]	Webster Free Throw 1 of 1 (3 PTS)
Ariza Jump Shot: Missed	09:32
Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	09:30
Smith Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Flynn (1 ST)	09:28
	09:26	Love Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Ariza (1 ST)
Smith Layup Shot: Missed Block: Brewer (1 BLK)	09:09
Smith Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	09:08
Smith Layup Shot: Missed	09:07
	09:07	Love Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Smith Foul : Personal (2 PF)	09:07
Smith Substitution replaced by Okafor	09:07
	08:43 [MIN 32-38]	Webster Jump Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Pondexter Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	08:26 [NOH 40-32]
	08:11	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
	08:11	Team Rebound
Okafor Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)	08:11
	08:11
Pondexter Substitution replaced by Paul	08:11
	08:11	Love Substitution replaced by Milicic
	07:57 [MIN 34-40]	Milicic Turnaround Hook Shot: Made (12 PTS)
	07:35	Milicic Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Ariza Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	07:35
Team Rebound	07:35
Ariza Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)	07:35 [NOH 41-34]
	07:27	Milicic Foul : Offensive (3 PF)
	07:27	Milicic Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
	07:27	Flynn Substitution replaced by Ridnour
	07:27	Milicic Substitution replaced by Love
Paul 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS)	07:09 [NOH 44-34]
	06:46	Webster Jump Shot: Missed
Jack Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:45
Paul Step Back Jump shot: Missed	06:37
	06:36	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	06:30 [MIN 36-44]	Webster Dunk Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Beasley (3 AST)
Okafor Driving Dunk Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Jack (1 AST)	06:11 [NOH 46-36]
Jack Foul : Personal (2 PF)	06:02
	06:02	Webster Substitution replaced by Johnson
Ariza Substitution replaced by West	06:02
	06:02	Brewer Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	06:02	Team Rebound
	06:02 [MIN 37-46]	Brewer Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)
	05:49	Ridnour Foul : Personal (1 PF)
	05:49	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:49	Brewer Substitution replaced by Pekovic
West Jump Shot: Missed	05:40
	05:39	Pekovic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	05:24 [MIN 39-46]	Johnson Pullup Jump shot: Made (9 PTS)
Paul Jump Shot: Missed	05:03
	05:02	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	04:55 [MIN 42-46]	Love 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (4 AST)
Jack 3pt Shot: Missed	04:37
	04:36	Pekovic Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	04:30	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed
Paul Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	04:28
Belinelli Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Paul (6 AST)	04:23 [NOH 48-42]
	04:11	Love Jump Shot: Missed
	04:11	Team Rebound
Jack Substitution replaced by Thornton	04:11
	04:03 [MIN 44-48]	Beasley Floating Jump shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (5 AST)
Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed	03:49
	03:48	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	03:43 [MIN 46-48]	Love Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (6 AST)
West Layup Shot: Missed	03:30
Okafor Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	03:28
Okafor Layup Shot: Missed Block: Pekovic (1 BLK)	03:26
	03:20	Pekovic Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	03:15 [MIN 48-48]	Ridnour Running Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:52
Thornton Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Paul (7 AST)	02:47 [NOH 50-48]
	02:32	Beasley Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Paul (1 ST)
Paul Driving Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS)	02:27 [NOH 52-48]
	02:11	Johnson Jump Shot: Missed
Belinelli Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	02:09
Thornton 3pt Shot: Missed	01:49
	01:47	Love Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
Belinelli Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	01:39
Belinelli Substitution replaced by Ariza	01:39
	01:39 [MIN 49-52]	Beasley Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)
	01:39 [MIN 50-52]	Beasley Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)
West Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Pekovic (1 ST)	01:20
	01:15	Love Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (2 TO)
Paul 3pt Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: West (3 AST)	01:00 [NOH 55-50]
West Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	00:50.4
	00:50.4 [MIN 51-55]	Love Free Throw 1 of 2 (6 PTS)
	00:50.4 [MIN 52-55]	Love Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)
Thornton Jump Shot: Missed Block: Pekovic (2 BLK)	00:36.9
	00:34.6	Pekovic Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
Okafor Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	00:25.4
	00:25.4 [MIN 53-55]	Ridnour Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
Okafor Substitution replaced by Smith	00:25.4
	00:25.4 [MIN 54-55]	Ridnour Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
	00:05.0	Pekovic Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Paul Free Throw 1 of 2 (15 PTS)	00:05.0 [NOH 56-54]
West Substitution replaced by Jack	00:05.0
Paul Free Throw 2 of 2 (16 PTS)	00:05.0 [NOH 57-54]
	00:01.9	Beasley Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Paul (2 ST)
End of 2nd Quarter
New Orleans Hornets (18-13)		Minnesota Timberwolves (8-24)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
West Step Back Jump shot: Missed Block: Milicic (2 BLK)	11:44
	11:42	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
West Foul : Personal (3 PF)	11:27
	11:20	Johnson 3pt Shot: Missed
Okafor Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	11:18
West Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Love (1 ST)	11:08
	10:47 [MIN 56-57]	Love Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (7 AST)
West Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Milicic (1 ST)	10:29
	10:25 [MIN 58-57]	Ridnour Driving Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Paul Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	10:25
	10:25 [MIN 59-57]	Ridnour Free Throw 1 of 1 (11 PTS)
Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed	10:13
Ariza Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	10:12
Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed	09:54
Okafor Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)	09:53
West Jump Shot: Missed	09:37
	09:35	Team Rebound
Okafor Foul : Loose Ball (3 PF)	09:35
	09:24	Love Jump Shot: Missed
	09:22	Milicic Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	09:15 [MIN 61-57]	Beasley Driving Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (8 AST)
Ariza Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	09:15
	09:15 [MIN 62-57]	Beasley Free Throw 1 of 1 (13 PTS)
Ariza Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS)	08:50 [NOH 59-62]
	08:32	Johnson Turnover : Poss Lost Ball Turnover (2 TO) Steal:Ariza (2 ST)
Ariza Running Layup Shot: Missed	08:27
	08:26	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	08:19	Beasley Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Paul (3 ST)
West Jump Shot: Missed	08:11
	08:10	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	07:53 [MIN 64-59]	Milicic Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Johnson (3 AST)
Okafor Jump Hook Shot: Missed	07:25
	07:24	Milicic Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	07:12	Johnson 3pt Shot: Missed
Okafor Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	07:11
Paul Running Bank shot: Made (18 PTS)	07:03 [NOH 61-64]
	06:47 [MIN 67-61]	Johnson 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Paul Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Ridnour (1 ST)	06:38
	06:20	Milicic Hook Shot: Missed
West Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	06:19
West Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Paul (8 AST)	06:07 [NOH 63-67]
	05:55 [MIN 70-63]	Johnson 3pt Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (9 AST)
Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed	05:40
	05:39	Milicic Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	05:25	Ridnour Layup Shot: Missed Block: Okafor (2 BLK)
Paul Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	05:23
Belinelli Driving Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Paul (9 AST)	05:19 [NOH 65-70]
	05:04 [MIN 73-65]	Johnson 3pt Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Milicic (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	05:00
Belinelli Substitution replaced by Thornton	05:00
West Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Ariza (3 AST)	04:46 [NOH 67-73]
	04:28 [MIN 75-67]	Beasley Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Milicic (3 AST)
	04:08	Milicic Foul : Personal (4 PF)
	04:08	Milicic Substitution replaced by Pekovic
Okafor Substitution replaced by Smith	04:08
Smith Jump Shot: Missed	03:58
	03:57	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	03:39 [MIN 78-67]	Beasley 3pt Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (10 AST)
Thornton Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Paul (10 AST)	03:22 [NOH 69-78]
	03:08	Love Jump Shot: Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	03:07
Thornton Driving Layup Shot: Missed	02:56
	02:55	Team Rebound
	02:55	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:33	Pekovic Dunk Shot: Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	02:31
West Jump Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Paul (11 AST)	02:18 [NOH 71-78]
	01:56	Beasley Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (4 TO)
	01:56	Beasley Substitution replaced by Webster
Ariza Substitution replaced by Jack	01:56
Jack Layup Shot: Missed Block: Webster (1 BLK)	01:35
Team Rebound	01:34
West Jump Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Thornton (2 AST)	01:31 [NOH 73-78]
	01:18	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed
Jack Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	01:17
Paul 3pt Shot: Missed	00:55.9
	00:54.9	Love Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	00:40.6 [MIN 81-73]	Johnson 3pt Shot: Made (21 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (11 AST)
	00:28.6	Pekovic Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	00:28.6 [NOH 74-81]
West Substitution replaced by Mbenga	00:28.6
Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	00:28.6 [NOH 75-81]
Mbenga Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	00:08.0
	00:08.0 [MIN 82-75]	Ridnour Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)
	00:08.0	Love Substitution replaced by Beasley
	00:08.0	Pekovic Substitution replaced by Brewer
Mbenga Substitution replaced by Belinelli	00:08.0
	00:08.0	Ridnour Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	00:07.5
	00:01.1	Johnson Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Paul Free Throw 1 of 2 (19 PTS)	00:01.1 [NOH 76-82]
	00:01.1	Beasley Substitution replaced by Love
	00:01.1	Johnson Substitution replaced by Pekovic
Paul Free Throw 2 of 2 (20 PTS)	00:01.1 [NOH 77-82]
	00:00.6	Brewer 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 3rd Quarter
New Orleans Hornets (18-13)		Minnesota Timberwolves (8-24)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
Ariza Foul : Personal (2 PF)	11:51
	11:43 [MIN 84-77]	Webster Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Flynn (2 AST)
	11:32	Flynn Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Jack Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	11:25
	11:11	Beasley Layup Shot: Missed Block: Okafor (3 BLK)
Paul Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	11:10
Thornton Layup Shot: Missed	10:57
Okafor Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)	10:56
Okafor Tip Shot: Missed	10:56
	10:54	Pekovic Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
Ariza Foul : Personal (3 PF)	10:50
Ariza Foul : Personal (4 PF)	10:47
	10:46	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Okafor Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)	10:43
	10:31	Pekovic Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Paul Free Throw 1 of 2 (21 PTS)	10:31 [NOH 78-84]
Paul Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	10:31
	10:31	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
	10:08	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Jack Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	10:07
Okafor Foul : Offensive Charge (4 PF)	09:57
Okafor Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	09:57
	09:41	Pekovic Layup Shot: Missed
	09:39	Beasley Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)
	09:39 [MIN 86-78]	Beasley Putback Dunk Shot: Made (20 PTS)
Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed	09:23
	09:22	Brewer Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	09:12	Flynn Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Paul (4 ST)
Paul Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Brewer (1 ST)	09:08
	09:04 [MIN 88-78]	Brewer Driving Layup Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Beasley (4 AST)
Okafor Foul : Shooting (5 PF)	09:04
Okafor Substitution replaced by West	09:04
	09:04	Pekovic Substitution replaced by Love
	09:04 [MIN 89-78]	Brewer Free Throw 1 of 1 (4 PTS)
	08:48	Webster Foul : Shooting Block (1 PF)
	08:48
West Free Throw 1 of 2 (20 PTS)	08:48 [NOH 79-89]
West Free Throw 2 of 2 (21 PTS)	08:48 [NOH 80-89]
	08:32 [MIN 92-80]	Beasley 3pt Shot: Made (23 PTS) Assist: Love (2 AST)
Thornton 3pt Shot: Missed	08:03
	08:02	Love Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	07:46	Love Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (3 TO)
Thornton Substitution replaced by Pondexter	07:46
Paul Jump Shot: Missed	07:29
	07:27	Love Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
	07:23	Love Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO)
Jack 3pt Shot: Missed	07:03
West Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	07:02
	07:01	Love Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
West Free Throw 1 of 2 (22 PTS)	07:01 [NOH 81-92]
Jack Substitution replaced by Belinelli	07:01
West Free Throw 2 of 2 (23 PTS)	07:01 [NOH 82-92]
	06:47	Webster Jump Shot: Missed
	06:45	Love Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)
	06:43 [MIN 94-82]	Love Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS)
	06:29	Webster Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	06:29	Brewer Substitution replaced by Johnson
Ariza Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)	06:29 [NOH 83-94]
Ariza Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)	06:29 [NOH 84-94]
	06:14 [MIN 97-84]	Flynn 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Beasley (5 AST)
Ariza Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Paul (12 AST)	05:57 [NOH 86-97]
	05:38 [MIN 99-86]	Love Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Beasley (6 AST)
West Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	05:38
	05:38	Team Timeout : Regular
Pondexter Substitution replaced by Okafor	05:38
	05:38 [MIN 100-86]	Love Free Throw 1 of 1 (14 PTS)
	05:21	Flynn Foul : Personal (3 PF)
	05:21	Flynn Technical
Paul Free Throw Technical (22 PTS)	05:21 [NOH 87-100]
Ariza Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)	05:21 [NOH 88-100]
Ariza Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)	05:21 [NOH 89-100]
	05:09 [MIN 102-89]	Beasley Running Jump Shot: Made (25 PTS) Assist: Flynn (3 AST)
Belinelli Running Bank shot: Missed	04:51
	04:50	Love Rebound (Off:1 Def:8)
	04:37	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Paul Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	04:36
West Jump Shot: Missed	04:28
	04:27	Love Rebound (Off:1 Def:9)
	04:09 [MIN 105-89]	Johnson 3pt Shot: Made (24 PTS) Assist: Beasley (7 AST)
Paul Jump Shot: Missed	03:43
Okafor Rebound (Off:5 Def:3)	03:42
Okafor Dunk Shot: Made (9 PTS)	03:41 [NOH 91-105]
	03:19	Beasley Layup Shot: Missed
	03:18	Beasley Rebound (Off:2 Def:7)
	03:18 [MIN 107-91]	Beasley Putback Layup Shot: Made (27 PTS)
Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed	03:02
	03:01	Webster Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	02:50	Flynn Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Paul (5 ST)
Belinelli Driving Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Paul (13 AST)	02:45 [NOH 93-107]
	02:26 [MIN 110-93]	Beasley 3pt Shot: Made (30 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:24
Ariza Substitution replaced by Jack	02:24
West Substitution replaced by Thornton	02:24
Okafor Substitution replaced by Smith	02:24
Belinelli Substitution replaced by Pondexter	02:24
Paul Substitution replaced by Mbenga	02:24
	02:24	Flynn Substitution replaced by Ridnour
Thornton Layup Shot: Missed	02:05
	02:04	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	01:46	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
	01:44	Love Rebound (Off:2 Def:9)
Jack Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	01:41
	01:41 [MIN 111-93]	Love Free Throw 1 of 2 (15 PTS)
	01:41 [MIN 112-93]	Love Free Throw 2 of 2 (16 PTS)
Thornton Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	01:24 [NOH 95-112]
	01:00	Love 3pt Shot: Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	00:59.8
	00:55.8	Johnson Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	00:55.8
Team Rebound	00:55.8
	00:55.8	Ridnour Substitution replaced by Flynn
	00:55.8	Love Substitution replaced by Koufos
	00:55.8	Beasley Substitution replaced by Brewer
Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)	00:55.8 [NOH 96-112]
	00:43.9	Koufos Dunk Shot: Missed
Pondexter Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	00:42.9
Pondexter Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Brewer (2 ST)	00:37.9
Jack Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	00:33.9
	00:33.9	Brewer Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:33.9	Team Rebound
	00:33.9 [MIN 113-96]	Brewer Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)
Smith Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Jack (2 AST)	00:21.2 [NOH 98-113]
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
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