New Orleans rallies to beat Minnesota, end skid
Saddiq Bey scored 30 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the New Orleans Pelicans rallied for a 119-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night in Minneapolis.
Zion Williamson added 29 points on 11-for-13 shooting for New Orleans, which snapped a three-game losing streak. Trey Murphy III added 26 points and made a half-dozen shots from beyond the arc.
Anthony Edwards scored 35 points on 11-for-22 shooting to lead Minnesota, which lost for only the second time in the last seven games. Julius Randle scored 24 points, Bones Hyland chipped in 20 off the bench, and Rudy Gobert registered a double-double with 12 points and 16 boards.
The Pelicans outscored the Timberwolves 30-21 in the fourth quarter, rallying four minutes into the period.
Randle made a jump shot to put Minnesota on top 102-96 with 7:32 remaining.
New Orleans responded with a decisive 11-0 run to grab a 107-102 lead with 4:13 to play. Bey -- who shot 10-for-21 -- hit a 3-pointer and a driving layup during the run, which also included a free throw, a layup and a 3-pointer by Bryce McGowens.
The Timberwolves regrouped to take a 115-114 lead after Hyland made a 3-pointer with 50.7 seconds to go.
Williamson made a driving layup moments later to put New Orleans on top 116-115, and the Pelicans led the rest of the way, hitting all three of their free throws in the final 35.5. seconds.
Minnesota led 70-56 at the half, thanks to a strong second quarter.
Minnesota went on a 9-0 run thanks to a 3-pointer by Edwards, a layup by Randle, a free throw by Edwards and a 3-pointer by Johnny Juzang, and they outscored the Pelicans 38-22 during the second quarter.
The Timberwolves welcomed new acquisitions Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips on Friday but listed both players as inactive as they adapt to their new team. Minnesota acquired Dosunmu and Phillips from the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
New Orleans played its first game since dealing Jose Alvarado to the New York Knicks on Thursday. The Pelicans acquired Dalen Terry but waived him before he ever suited up.