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Beasley leads T-Wolves over Hornets

Dec 28, 2010 - 4:55 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Michael Beasley scored 30 points, Wesley Johnson had 24 and the Minnesota Timberwolves began their three-game homestand with a 113-98 victory over New Orleans.

The Timberwolves have won two in a row on the heels of a seven-game losing streak that was snapped Sunday in a 98-97 victory over Cleveland.

Beasley scored the go-ahead basket in that game and led the way again Monday, also grabbing nine rebounds with seven assists as the Timberwolves halted a six-game losing streak to New Orleans.

David West scored 23 points and Chris Paul had 22 with 13 assists but the Hornets saw their road losing streak reach seven games.

The Timberwolves trailed by as many as 12 points in the first quarter. They were behind 35-17 heading into the second and 57-54 at halftime.

But they came back by shooting 53 percent in the second half -- including 9- of-14 from three-point range. Beasley's was 8-of-14 from the field and made all three of his treys for 20 points while Minnesota went ahead by as many as 19.

The Hornets shot just 36 percent in the final 24 minutes.

"They just beat us. The second half was embarrassing the way they scored," said Paul. "Every time down if it wasn't a three (pointer) it was a drive or an offensive rebound. I don't remember a game like that in a long time."

The Timberwolves took a one-point lead 1:35 into the second half on Luke Ridnour's driving layup and never trailed after that. They led by as many as 11 in the third quarter and carried an 82-77 edge into the fourth.

Ridnour scored 12 points in the game and had a team-high 11 assists. All five Minnesota starters scored in double figures, including Kevin Love (16 points) and Darko Milicic (14).

"It feels good to win two in a row," said Love, who also had 11 rebounds. "The biggest thing was everyone contributed. All the way down the line -- it was pretty good."

The Timberwolves built a 12-point lead 3 1/2 minutes into the fourth quarter and led by as many as 19 late in the game.

Game Notes

Minnesota shot 53 percent for the game...The Hornets are still 14-5 in the last 19 meetings...New Orleans hasn't won on the road since a game in Portland on November 26.