• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Paul, Hornets aim to rebound vs. lowly Timberwolves

Apr 9, 2008 - 3:23 PM New Orleans (54-23) at Minnesota (19-58) 8:00 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets hope to hold on to their slim lead atop the Western Conference standings.

Paul looks to help the Hornets bounce back from a tough loss Wednesday when they visit the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves.

Paul's MVP hopes took a dent Tuesday with his lackluster four-point performance in a 77-66 setback to the Utah Jazz.

"It was the first time in a long time that I can remember that we just couldn't make shots on a consistent basis," Hornets coach Byron Scott said. "I don't remember us being that cold for an entire game."

With the loss, New Orleans' cushion in the West standings was sliced to one game over defending champion San Antonio (53-24) with five contests remaining.

The 6-foot Paul missed the last trip to the "Twins Cities," when Peja Stojakovic lead the way with 22 points in a 100-82 victory here on November 17.

Minnesota dropped its fifth consecutive decision Tuesday with a 121-119 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats despite 40 points and 10 rebounds from Al Jefferson.