Wednesday night's game was the kind the Timberwolves were in danger of losing a season ago.
Visiting Target Center were the New Orleans Pelicans, who were without several key contributors including Zion Williamson, C.J. McCollum, Jose Alvarado and Herb Jones.
It was the kind of shorthanded opponent the Wolves might have messed around with last season and lost a game they should have won.
There was little nonsense Wednesday night, as the Wolves ran away with a breezy 122-101 victory. Minnesota opened up the game in the second quarter, led by 28 points at halftime and never let the shorthanded Pelicans back into it.