The Minnesota Timberwolves' trip to New Orleans to face the Pelicans on Tuesday looks like a mismatch on paper.

Minnesota sits in the top six in the Western Conference, fully healthy, and chasing a third consecutive win.

New Orleans, meanwhile, is anchored at the bottom of the West, weighed down by a long injury list and trying to avoid a fourth straight loss.

But basketball isn't played on paper.

The short-handed Pelicans proved that on Sunday, outscoring the imposing Los Angeles Lakers across the final three quarters on the road.

Unfortunately for New Orleans, the damage had been done early - Los Angeles piled on 46 points in the opening quarter and led 72-46 in the second before prevailing 133-121.

Interim head coach James Borrego, however, was focused on the positives that emerge

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