NEW ORLEANS – The night was set up for another Timberwolves victory. Patrick Beverley returned from a two-game absence and made the Wolves' starting lineup complete again, a lineup that was 9-2 when it played together.
The Wolves were also playing another Western Conference team below them in the standings, New Orleans, a team it handled with ease in the Smoothie King Center in November.
The night didn't go as planned.
The Wolves lacked the defensive focus that has been consistent most of the season in a 128-125 loss to the Pelicans. The loss snapped their four-game win streak and caused them to finish below .