Pelicans at Timberwolves
The New Orleans Pelicans are sliding out of the Western Conference
playoff race and look to halt a four-game losing streak when they visit
the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. New Orleans has fallen seven games
behind the eighth-place Utah Jazz during its latest skid and is a
dismal 5-20 on the road.
The Pelicans have fared well against Minnesota recently by emerging victorious in each of the past six meetings. All-Star power forward Anthony Davis has been attempting to carry the club while the starting backcourt of Eric Gordon (broken finger) and Tyreke Evans (knee) deal with injuries. Minnesota has posted back-to-back impressive victories over the Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls and finished the game with a decisive 12-0 run in Saturday's 112-105 win over Chicago. "There's a change in their body language, their mentality, how they walk in the gym, how they practice and prepare," Wolves coach Sam Mitchell told reporters of his young squad. "When I walk in the locker room before the game, there's a certain professionalism. These young guys are learning what it takes to be pros."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN New Orleans, FSN North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE PELICANS (18-32): The absences of Gordon and Evans have created an opportunity for Norris Cole, and the journeyman is taking advantage of his opportunity. Cole has scored in double digits in eight of the past nine games and scored a career-high 26 points in Saturday's 99-84 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on the same day that Cleveland State retired his No. 30 jersey. "I always feel good when I come to Cleveland," Cole told reporters. "It was fun to be able to see all the old faces and new faces at Cleveland State. I appreciate them honoring me like that and appreciating the work that I've been able to put in. I love my school, so it was special for me."
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (16-36): Second-year shooting guard Andrew Wiggins is emerging as a star and is averaging 27.3 points over the last three games after a 21-point performance against Chicago. The inside duo of rookie Karl-Anthony Towns and third-year pro Gorgui Dieng are meshing well and both had big games versus the Bulls - Towns had 26 points and 17 rebounds and Dieng had a career-high 24 points to go with 10 boards. "Those two are playing so well together," Mitchell said after the win. "We're just at the point in the season where you've got to bring positive minutes to the floor."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Davis had 35 points as the Pelicans overcame a 17-point deficit to record a 114-99 victory over the Timberwolves on Jan. 19.
2. New Orleans backup SF Ryan Anderson is just 3-of-18 from 3-point range and averaging 10.5 points during the four-game slide.
3. Dieng is averaging 17.6 points and 9.9 rebounds over the last seven contests.