Pelicans at Timberwolves
The New Orleans Pelicans are playing for a spot in the postseason while their next opponent is playing for pingpong balls. The Pelicans are tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference going into Monday night's road contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are tied for the worst record in the NBA.
The Pelicans remain tied with Oklahoma City for eighth in the West after a 121-114 loss at Houston on Sunday, but they have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Thunder. "Everything's still in our favor," New Orleans coach Monty Williams told reporters. "We've got to recognize that, but at the same time, we've got to play better." The Timberwolves have lost 10 straight and are tied with the New York Knicks in the NBA cellar, but they could have a major impact on the race for the final playoff spot. After playing New Orleans, Minnesota wraps up the season by hosting the Thunder on Wednesday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans
ABOUT THE PELICANS (43-37): New Orleans has struggled to a 16-24 road mark and has lost three straight away from home. The Pelicans had seven players in double figures against the Rockets but gave up 69 second-half points and allowed Houston to shoot 53.4 percent from the floor. New Orleans has shot an NBA-best 43.5 percent from 3-point range over the past 12 games while Minnesota is among the worst in the league at defending the perimeter, allowing 36.7 percent from the arc.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (16-64): Injury-riddled Minnesota had only eight active players for Saturday's 110-101 loss at Golden State but gave the league's top team a good run. Rookie Zach LaVine poured in a career-best 37 points and Andrew Wiggins continued his strong rookie campaign with 17 points, six rebounds and nine assists. "We could easily have phoned it in," coach Flip Saunders told reporters. "It's encouraging to see the guys work hard."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pelicans have won the first three meetings this season by an average of 26 points, including a 48-point blowout Nov. 14 in New Orleans.
2. New Orleans PG Jrue Holiday is working his way back from a leg injury that kept him out for 41 games and put up 17 points in 15 minutes Sunday in his second game back.
3. Minnesota PF Kevin Garnett has missed 17 straight games with a sore left knee and is not likely to play in either of the team's two remaining contests.