Minnesota Timberwolves 99
New Orleans Pelicans 114
The Minnesota Timberwolves blew an early 17-point lead and fell to the New Orleans Pelicans 114-99 in New Orleans Tuesday night.
1. Pelicans respond after early deficit
After trailing by as many as 17 points early in the game, the Pelicans rallied to come from behind to beat the Wolves. Anthony Davis led the charge, finishing with 35 points.
For the Wolves, it’s not the first time they squandered away an early lead this season.
Just a reminder: Wolves have lost at least a 17-pt lead and the game four times this season already
— Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) January 20, 2016
Former Timberwolves forward Dante Cunningham made one of the night’s biggest plays. After knocking down a couple of threes early in the second half, he ended the third quarter with a hustle play that squarely shifted all of the momentum to New Orleans.
ICYMI in #MINatNOP: Dante Cunningham with an incredible hustle + buzzer beater! #ThisIsWhyWePlay https://t.co/g8H98mnvlz
— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2016
Cunningham finished with 11.
2. Wolves build early lead
The Wolves were rolling early. Minnesota built that 17-point lead during a 38-point first quarter. They shot over 50 percent in the first half and were getting a lot of high percentage looks.
LaVine to the rim for @Timberwolves on @NBATV! #MINatNOP #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/iozVOaozFe
— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2016
Wiggins triple-threats, drives + throws down the 🔨 for @Timberwolves on @NBATV! MINatNOP #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/QD3UGvrevE
— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2016
Andrew Wiggins was instrumental during that early stretch. He finished the night with 21 points.
3. Towns continues to double-double down
Wolves rookie Karl-Anthony Towns had another double-double, his 20th of the season. He finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds on the night.
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN): 20th double-double this season, most among rookies
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 20, 2016
Tweet of the Night:
The story of the night, summed up by Jim Souhan.
Wolves scored 38 in the first. Scored 37 next two periods.
— Jim Souhan (@SouhanStrib) January 20, 2016
Up Next:
The Wolves (13-30) are in Dallas on Wednesday night to play the Mavericks.
