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Postgame: Pelicans 123, Timberwolves 109

Pelicans (29-41), Timberwolves (28-41)

Prior to Sunday’s game, when asked what his team’s secret to success vs. Minnesota has been this season, Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry had a quick two-word response: “Anthony Davis.”

While Davis again performed extremely well against the Timberwolves, New Orleans also benefited from a slew of quality contributions from several teammates, a theme of late during a 4-1 stretch. In addition to Davis’ 28 points, five other Pelicans posted 10-plus points in scoring, including a pair of reserves. As a result, New Orleans bested Minnesota by double digits for a third time in 2016-17, capping a 3-0 head-to-head sweep.

Minnesota outplayed New Orleans in the opening half and grabbed a lead of as many as 13 points, but the hosts completely turned the game around after intermission. The Pelicans poured in 40 points in the third quarter and kept finding the bottom of the net in the fourth, tacking on another 35 points for a 75-point half.

Although Minnesota second-year star Karl-Anthony Towns compiled a very good individual game (33 points), Davis improved to 5-0 vs. Towns over the past two seasons. The Timberwolves beat the Pelicans twice in 2015-16, but Davis was a DNP both times.

IT WAS OVER WHEN…

Davis sank a pull-up mid-range jumper from the left baseline, giving New Orleans a 116-101 lead with roughly 2:30 remaining. The Pelicans put together a 31-point reversal in the game, going from down 13 to up 18 at one stage of the fourth period.

PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME

Davis and Cousins accomplished a “double double-double” – something that will probably become standard as time goes on – as both perennial All-Stars were significant scorers and rebounders. Davis notched 28 points and 12 rebounds; Cousins had 15 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. In a development Gentry alluded to after the game, the duo was ultra-efficient, shooting 18/30 from the field. Three other Pelicans also fired 10 or more shot attempts, as the ball got distributed pretty evenly and made the offense even more dangerous.

PELICANS UNSUNG CONTRIBUTOR

Playing off the ball often with Tim Frazier (8 assists, 0 turnovers) capably handling point-guard responsibilities as a new starter, Jrue Holiday was a threat from the perimeter (4/5 on treys) and helped key the second-half surge. Holiday had seven points at halftime, but managed 10 in the third period and finished with 21 points. The 2013 All-Star also handed out seven assists, on a night when New Orleans dished 31 of those.

QUOTES TO NOTE

“We’re trying to play a certain way, the way that we thought we were going to play when we first came (together this season). Nothing happens overnight. Our core has been together for a fair amount of time (70 games into 2016-17). We’ve added in some pieces. Now we’re implementing how we want to play.” – Solomon Hill (13 points) on reasons why New Orleans’ offense seems to be clicking

“We’re getting contributions from everywhere. It’s not like we have to depend on one guy or two guys. Everybody’s stepping up. We’ve got some firepower off the bench – Jordan Crawford is playing great, but so is E’Twaun (Moore) and so is Tim. We’ve had a balance of not just scoring, but we defending (Minnesota) well.” – Gentry on why his team is winning lately

“I love it. It brings energy. I get excited when other people score. It’s just fun to watch, fun to play.” – Holiday on getting a range of players to produce points

“Everybody is being aggressive, so the defense can’t key in on somebody.” – Crawford on the importance of having multiple scoring threats

BY THE NUMBERS

31: New Orleans assists, which was tied for the highest this season by the Pelicans in a game that did not go to overtime. New Orleans had a season-most 33 in last week’s overtime victory at Charlotte.

3: Teams the Pelicans have swept head-to-head this season, a list that includes Charlotte, New York and now Minnesota.

42-36: New Orleans rebounding advantage, including nine on the offensive end. Davis had five offensive rebounds to pace the Pelicans.

4.5: Games out of eighth place in the Western Conference for New Orleans, which still has three matchups remaining with current No. 8 Denver.