NBA: Zion Williamson, Pelicans roll past Timberwolves

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, right, drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (1) and center Naz Reid during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)

MINNEAPOLIS  — Zion Williamson scored 27 points and the New Orleans Pelicans kept rolling with a 117-106 victory over the West-leading Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night in the NBA.

CJ McCollum added 24 points and Brandon Ingram had 19. The Pelicans pulled away in the second half for their fourth straight victory and ninth in 12 games.

On the second night of a back-to-back after beating Brooklyn 112-85, a game that allowed Williamson and Ingram to both play under 30 minutes, New Orleans went on the road and shot 55.6% from the field. Williamson and Ingram combined to shoot 18 of 26.

“We’ve all been locked in and connected on the defensive end, and that leads to a lot of better things on the offensive end; transition points and just the movement of the ball,” Williamson said. “So, when me, CJ and B.I. do get in our iso, we’ve got more space.”

Anthony Edwards scored 35 points for Minnesota, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 22. Minnesota dropped to 14-2 at home and lost consecutive games for the first time this season. The Timberwolves were the last team in the NBA to lose two in a row.

The Timberwolves shot just 38.7% through three quarters. They finished with 13 turnovers, leading to 16 points for the Pelicans. Edwards had six turnovers and Towns shot 8 of 19 from the field, including 0 of 4 from 3-point territory.

“It’s on us because the coaches do a great job bringing the game plan and making sure we’re prepared,” Edwards said. “And the rest of it is on us. They keep asking us to play hard, and they shouldn’t have to say it. We got to figure it out.”

New Orleans used a 25-9 run late in the first half to take control and extended the lead to 24 midway through the third quarter.

“I give that credit to B.I., especially at the end of the second quarter,” Williamson said. “He made that separation. He was just getting to it. And then in the third quarter, that energy continued with the whole team.”

A night after complaining about Williamson not getting a foul called on a shot attempt, Pelicans coach Willie Green received a technical foul and sprinted nearly the length of the court after a drive by Williamson. There was no penalty called and Minnesota received the ball as officials ruled it went off Williamson’s leg.

“I saw him get fouled, that’s the difference,” Green said about the play Wednesday. “I couldn’t see it last night, but tonight I saw it and it was clear.”

NEXT SCHEDULE

Pelicans: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.

Timberwolves: At Houston on Friday night.