In one of the more horrifying losses in a season that grows increasingly frustrating for Wolves fans, Minnesota was outscored 37-20 in the fourth-quarter Friday in New Orleans, a stretch that would seal a 98-91 loss to the Pelicans.
Minnesota was up 71-61 and in the driver’s seat headed to the final period of a nationally televised game on ESPN, but New Orleans shot 13-of-20 from the floor to close out the game and the Wolves.
Kevin Love played for Minnesota despite missing Wednesday’s loss to the Thunder with a sore neck suffered Tuesday against Los Angeles, and the All-Star starter did what he could, scoring 26 points and grabbing 19 rebounds.
Corey Brewer also returned to the Wolves lineup after missing Wednesday to attend to the birth of his child, contributing 16 points, second only to Love on the evening.
But New Orleans frontcourt man Anthony Davis, also an All-Star after being named Kobe Bryant’s replacement by commissioner Adam Silver earlier in the day, was devastatingly efficient, scoring 26 points on just 16 shots while also grabbing 10 rebounds.
Guard Eric Gordon added 20 for New Orleans, and the Wolves couldn’t keep up, shooting just 37 percent from the field including 4-of-18 from distance.
Minnesota has lost four of their last five and travel home tonight to face a quick turnaround, Western Conference No. 3 Portland coming to Target Center for a 7 p.m. tap Saturday.
