Pelicans snap 3-game skid with 107-98 win over Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Brandon Ingram scored 27 points, Jonas Valanciunas had 22 points and a career-high 23 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans snapped a season-opening three-game losing streak with a 107-98 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.
Devonte' Graham added 21 points for New Orleans, which was again without injured star Zion Williamson. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 17 points for the Pelicans, who had a 21-point lead trimmed to four points late in the third quarter.
''To finally get one win, it's refreshing,'' said New Orleans coach Willie Green, who earned his first win as an NBA head coach. ''You understand really quick how hard it is to win in this league.''
Minnesota had its two-game win streak halted as its offense failed to find a rhythm until Anthony Edwards got the offense and the crowd going by scoring 21 of his 28 points in the third.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points and 14 rebounds, and Patrick Beverly added 13 points off the bench.
''I felt like, for the most part, that our preparation, we kind of disrespected the game,'' Beverly said. ''That comes with time. You disrespect the game and the game will come back and get you, and it did tonight.''
A game after tying a franchise record with 30 turnovers, New Orleans was in sync early, using the extra pass to get its offense going. The Pelicans had eight assists as a team on their first nine baskets.
The Pelicans ended the first quarter on a 10-2 run to take control, and extended the run to 22-5 early in the second. The lead ballooned to 21 points before Edwards got involved.
''When you have 30 turnovers in a game, it's going to be hard to beat anybody,'' Graham said. ''Take care of the ball. Seventeen (turnovers) is still a lot, but that's a good defensive team. We just stuck with it.''
Much of New Orleans' lead was built with Towns on the bench.
After fouling out in the first game between the teams on Saturday, Towns was called for an early technical foul. Shortly after, he was called for an illegal screen that sent him to the bench with two fouls. Coach Chris Finch picked up a technical foul in support of his center.
Even with Towns on the court, Minnesota's offense was largely reduced to quick 3-pointers and one-and-done possessions with the Pelicans controlling the boards.
New Orleans outrebounded the Wolves 60-41.
Edwards, the electrifying second-year guard, was held to two points in the first half on two free throws. Edwards and D'Angelo Russell were a combined 1 for 14 in the half, while Minnesota shot 6 of 24 (25%) from long distance.
''I think we take a lot of possessions that didn't need a shot, including myself,'' Towns said. ''Forced. It's disappointing. We understand the magnitude of this game. We understood what the opponent was going to bring. But we just didn't bring it.''
Ingram closed out the game with 18 points in the second half, including a big dunk in transition that helped halt Minnesota's momentum.
TAKING SOME TIME
Part of his career-best rebounding performance, Valanciunas also had nine offensive rebounds. He played 39:19 and ended up taking a timeout in the fourth to get a rest.
''I've had several talks with him and I told him, `We just going to ride you, big fella.','' Green said. ''He actually called a timeout on his own because he was so tired. I just looked at him, I said, `Just sit down the whole three minutes and get back on the floor, we got to finish the game.' But he's a warrior.''
DUG TOO DEEP
Edwards' run helped Minnesota get back in the game, but the early deficit was too large.
Edwards hit a 3 with 8:33 left in the third for his first field goal and quickly added a layup in transition to provide a much-needed jolt for the Wolves. His thunderous dunk over New Orleans forward Trey Murphy III brought the crowd to its feet.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: Josh Hart missed his second straight game with right quadriceps tendinosis. Second-round rookie Herbert Jones made his second straight start and was scoreless. . Williamson remains out with a right foot fracture, and Daulton Hommes was inactive with right peroneal soreness. . New Orleans finished with 20 turnovers, leading to 23 points for Minnesota.
Timberwolves: With Russell going 1 of 8 from 3-point range, Minnesota finished 15 of 50 (30%) from beyond the arc. Russell finished with nine points on 3-of-14 shooting. . The Wolves shot 34.4% (31 for 90) from the field.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Return home following a three-game road trip to face Atlanta on Wednesday.
Timberwolves: Travel to Milwaukee for their first road game of the season on Wednesday.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
12:00 | Jonas Valanciunas vs. Karl-Anthony Towns (D'Angelo Russell gains possession) | |||
11:43 | Herbert Jones blocks D'Angelo Russell's three point jump shot | |||
11:41 | Karl-Anthony Towns offensive rebound | |||
11:41 | D'Angelo Russell turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | |||
11:20 | Jonas Valanciunas misses two point layup | |||
11:18 | Anthony Edwards defensive rebound | |||
11:11 | Karl-Anthony Towns misses two point floating jump shot | |||
11:09 | Karl-Anthony Towns offensive rebound | |||
11:08 | Karl-Anthony Towns misses two point turnaround hook shot | |||
11:06 | Herbert Jones defensive rebound | |||
11:02 | Brandon Ingram misses three point jump shot | |||
10:59 | D'Angelo Russell defensive rebound | |||
10:49 | +3 | Jaden McDaniels makes three point jump shot (Karl-Anthony Towns assists) | 0-3 | |
10:35 | Devonte' Graham misses three point jump shot | |||
10:31 | Karl-Anthony Towns defensive rebound | |||
10:16 | D'Angelo Russell misses two point floating jump shot | |||
10:14 | Devonte' Graham defensive rebound | |||
10:10 | Devonte' Graham turnover (bad pass) (Josh Okogie steals) | |||
10:06 | Karl-Anthony Towns misses two point driving layup | |||
10:03 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker defensive rebound | |||
9:56 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker misses three point jump shot | |||
9:53 | Pelicans offensive rebound | |||
9:47 | +2 | Brandon Ingram makes two point jump shot (Jonas Valanciunas assists) | 2-3 | |
9:36 | Anthony Edwards misses three point jump shot | |||
9:34 | Pelicans defensive rebound | |||
9:18 | +2 | Jonas Valanciunas makes two point layup (Nickeil Alexander-Walker assists) | 4-3 | |
9:03 | D'Angelo Russell misses three point jump shot | |||
9:02 | Pelicans defensive rebound | |||
8:50 | +2 | Devonte' Graham makes two point jump shot (Herbert Jones assists) | 6-3 | |
8:32 | Josh Okogie misses three point jump shot | |||
8:30 | Karl-Anthony Towns offensive rebound | |||
8:28 | +2 | Karl-Anthony Towns makes two point driving layup | 6-5 | |
8:15 | +2 | Jonas Valanciunas makes two point turnaround jump shot (Devonte' Graham assists) | 8-5 | |
8:04 | Karl-Anthony Towns misses three point step back jump shot | |||
8:03 | Josh Okogie offensive rebound | |||
8:03 | Brandon Ingram shooting foul (Josh Okogie draws the foul) | |||
8:03 | +1 | Josh Okogie makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 8-6 | |
8:03 | Josh Okogie misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | |||
8:01 | Jonas Valanciunas defensive rebound | |||
7:55 | Devonte' Graham turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | |||
7:45 | Jaden McDaniels misses three point jump shot | |||
7:42 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker defensive rebound | |||
7:29 | Devonte' Graham misses three point jump shot | |||
7:28 | Timberwolves defensive rebound | |||
7:09 | Jonas Valanciunas personal foul (Karl-Anthony Towns draws the foul) | |||
7:06 | +3 | Karl-Anthony Towns makes three point jump shot (Josh Okogie assists) | 8-9 | |
6:46 | D'Angelo Russell blocks Brandon Ingram's two point turnaround jump shot | |||
6:46 | Josh Okogie defensive rebound | |||
6:42 | D'Angelo Russell misses three point jump shot | |||
6:38 | Brandon Ingram defensive rebound | |||
6:17 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker misses three point jump shot | |||
6:15 | Anthony Edwards defensive rebound | |||
6:01 | Jaden McDaniels misses three point jump shot | |||
5:59 | Jonas Valanciunas defensive rebound | |||
5:39 | Jonas Valanciunas misses two point driving hook shot | |||
5:36 | Karl-Anthony Towns defensive rebound | |||
5:26 | Jonas Valanciunas blocks Karl-Anthony Towns's two point driving layup | |||
5:25 | Timberwolves offensive rebound | |||
5:25 | Karl-Anthony Towns technical foul | |||
5:25 | Karl-Anthony Towns technical foul | |||
5:25 | +1 | Brandon Ingram makes technical free throw 1 of 1 | 9-9 | |
5:17 | +3 | Patrick Beverley makes three point jump shot (Karl-Anthony Towns assists) | 9-12 | |
4:59 | Kira Lewis Jr. misses two point floating jump shot | |||
4:57 | Anthony Edwards defensive rebound | |||
4:46 | Karl-Anthony Towns misses two point jump shot | |||
4:43 | Kira Lewis Jr. defensive rebound | |||
4:27 | +3 | Garrett Temple makes three point jump shot (Kira Lewis Jr. assists) | 12-12 | |
4:13 | Anthony Edwards misses three point jump shot | |||
4:10 | Brandon Ingram defensive rebound | |||
4:01 | Garrett Temple misses three point jump shot | |||
3:58 | Anthony Edwards defensive rebound | |||
3:53 | Kira Lewis Jr. personal foul (Patrick Beverley draws the foul) | |||
3:45 | Karl-Anthony Towns misses three point jump shot | |||
3:42 | Garrett Temple defensive rebound | |||
3:40 | Karl-Anthony Towns personal foul (Jonas Valanciunas draws the foul) | |||
3:27 | Herbert Jones turnover (traveling) | |||
3:23 | Karl-Anthony Towns offensive foul (Kira Lewis Jr. draws the foul) | |||
3:23 | Karl-Anthony Towns turnover (offensive foul) | |||
3:23 | Chris Finch technical foul | |||
3:23 | +1 | Garrett Temple makes technical free throw 1 of 1 | 13-12 | |
3:05 | Trey Murphy III misses three point jump shot | |||
3:03 | Garrett Temple offensive rebound | |||
3:00 | Jaden McDaniels blocks Garrett Temple's three point step back jump shot | |||
2:59 | Jonas Valanciunas offensive rebound | |||
2:59 | Pelicans turnover (shot clock violation) | |||
2:59 | Pelicans 60 second timeout | |||
2:41 | Patrick Beverley misses two point floating jump shot | |||
2:39 | Jonas Valanciunas defensive rebound | |||
2:27 | +2 | Jonas Valanciunas makes two point floating jump shot (Kira Lewis Jr. assists) | 15-12 | |
2:17 | Anthony Edwards misses three point jump shot | |||
2:14 | Malik Beasley offensive rebound | |||
2:12 | +3 | Malik Beasley makes three point jump shot | 15-15 | |
2:00 | Herbert Jones turnover (back court violation) | |||
1:52 | Jaxson Hayes shooting foul (Naz Reid draws the foul) | |||
1:52 | Naz Reid misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | |||
1:52 | Timberwolves offensive rebound | |||
1:52 | Naz Reid misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | |||
1:49 | Jaxson Hayes defensive rebound | |||
1:41 | Jaxson Hayes turnover (lost ball) (Malik Beasley steals) | |||
1:40 | Jaxson Hayes personal foul (Malik Beasley draws the foul) | |||
1:40 | +1 | Malik Beasley makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 15-16 | |
1:40 | +1 | Malik Beasley makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 15-17 | |
1:32 | +3 | Brandon Ingram makes three point jump shot (Garrett Temple assists) | 18-17 | |
1:17 | +2 | Naz Reid makes two point layup (Patrick Beverley assists) | 18-19 | |
1:08 | +3 | Trey Murphy III makes three point jump shot (Devonte' Graham assists) | 21-19 | |
0:51 | D'Angelo Russell misses two point step back jump shot | |||
0:49 | Trey Murphy III defensive rebound | |||
0:41 | Naz Reid shooting foul (Jaxson Hayes draws the foul) | |||
0:41 | Jaxson Hayes misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | |||
0:41 | Pelicans offensive rebound | |||
0:41 | Jaxson Hayes misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | |||
0:39 | Jaxson Hayes offensive rebound | |||
0:28 | Naz Reid blocks Devonte' Graham's two point driving layup | |||
0:27 | Jaxson Hayes offensive rebound | |||
0:27 | +2 | Jaxson Hayes makes two point putback layup | 23-19 | |
0:07 | D'Angelo Russell misses three point step back jump shot | |||
0:04 | Devonte' Graham defensive rebound | |||
0:04 | Naz Reid personal foul (Devonte' Graham draws the foul) | |||
0:04 | +1 | Devonte' Graham makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 24-19 | |
0:04 | +1 | Devonte' Graham makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 25-19 | |
0:00 | End of period |
Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
11:45 | Devonte' Graham misses three point jump shot | |||
11:41 | D'Angelo Russell defensive rebound | |||
11:36 | Malik Beasley misses two point alley-oop layup | |||
11:34 | Naji Marshall defensive rebound | |||
11:18 | +3 | Brandon Ingram makes three point jump shot (Devonte' Graham assists) | 28-19 | |
10:54 | Jordan McLaughlin turnover (out of bounds bad pass) | |||
10:29 | +2 | Devonte' Graham makes two point floating jump shot | 30-19 | |
10:13 | Jaxson Hayes blocks Jordan McLaughlin's two point layup | |||
10:10 | Devonte' Graham defensive rebound | |||
10:05 | +2 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker makes two point driving layup | 32-19 | |
10:05 | Timberwolves 60 second timeout | |||
9:44 | +3 | Patrick Beverley makes three point jump shot (Jordan McLaughlin assists) | 32-22 | |
9:24 | Malik Beasley personal foul (Jaxson Hayes draws the foul) | |||
9:15 | +2 | Jaxson Hayes makes two point hook shot (Naji Marshall assists) | 34-22 | |
9:04 | Karl-Anthony Towns misses three point jump shot | |||
9:00 | Brandon Ingram defensive rebound | |||
8:50 | +2 | Nickeil Alexander-Walker makes two point finger roll layup | 36-22 | |
8:43 | Taurean Prince misses three point jump shot | |||
8:40 | Jaxson Hayes defensive rebound | |||
8:38 | Patrick Beverley shooting foul (Naji Marshall draws the foul) | |||
8:38 | +1 | Naji Marshall makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 37-22 | |