Pelicans (19-32), Timberwolves (16-37)
MINNEAPOLIS – As part of their “Lundi Gras celebration” on Monday, the Timberwolves handed out Mardi Gras beads to fans, played New Orleans-style music and even used fleur de lis logos on scoreboard replays. Maybe that explains why the Pelicans played like they were back at home in the friendly confines of the Smoothie King Center. New Orleans earned its first road victory since Jan. 13, leading by as many as 23 points in the first half and 28 in the second en route to a one-sided win. It was the Pelicans’ biggest margin of victory in an away contest all season, surpassing the previous high of 12 against Sacramento. New Orleans, which was able to rest several key players in the fourth quarter, next hosts Utah on Wednesday.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
Ryan Anderson drained a left wing three-pointer off Jrue Holiday’s seventh assist, giving New Orleans a 25-point lead with 1:26 remaining in the third quarter. The Pelicans went on to register a double-digit road win for just the third time this season. They led 95-70 through three quarters.
PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Holiday had it working from all angles at the offensive end, breezing easily to the basket at will, sinking his perimeter jumpers and regularly handing out assists (he finished with nine helpers). Holiday may have threatened a triple-double had New Orleans needed him to play the entire game, but he was subbed out in the fourth quarter in a rout. Holiday finished with 27 points, six rebounds and nine assists in his 28 minutes of action. He shot 11/23 from the floor, including 3/7 on treys. Anthony Davis also piled up 27 points, while Anderson netted 26.
PELICANS UNSUNG CONTRIBUTING
Luke Babbitt hadn’t played since Jan. 25 vs. Houston, but stepped in Monday and dropped in eight points in only 11 minutes of action. On a night when several other Pelicans had it going on the offensive end, the southpaw’s scoring punch was a nice bonus. Babbitt scored all of his points in the second quarter, part of New Orleans’ 35-24 edge that stretched the lead to 63-46 at halftime.
