New Orleans @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 8, 2019 ) Minnesota 117, New Orleans 122

Teams mired in long losing streaks match up Wednesday when the New Orleans Pelicans visit the Minnesota Timberwolves. New Orleans dropped a 108-101 overtime decision to the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday as its franchise record for consecutive losses reached 13 while Minnesota has lost its last seven outings.

The Pelicans shot 34.3 percent from the field in the loss to the Nets with small forward Brandon Ingram (7-for-23) and guard Jrue Holiday (9-for-28) struggling despite scoring 22 and 21 points, respectively. The stop in Minnesota is the first of a four-game road trip for New Orleans, which has lost six straight road contests and stands 2-11 on the season. Minnesota has been off since Friday but it has been hard for the club to forget that Paul George (46) and Kawhi Leonard (42) of Los Angeles topped 40 points as the visiting Clippers posted a 124-117 victory. "Ultimately, that's defense that won us those games early on in the year," Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders said, well aware his team is allowing an average of 127.6 points during the skid. "We have to get back to not necessarily worrying about our offense but focusing more on our defense."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS North (Minnesota)

ABOUT THE PELICANS (6-22): Rookie power forward Zion Williamson (knee) participated in on-court basketball activities at Tuesday's mid-day shootaround, including shooting, as he moves closer to making his season debut. "We’re really excited with where he’s at," New Orleans general manager David Griffin told Fox Sports New Orleans. "He’s made really good progress. I know we’ve reached that eight-week point (in his timetable to return to play) and everyone is ready to see him. I think we’re a little ways away yet, but (Tuesday) was a really big first step. It’s an important time for him because he’s fully weight-bearing.” The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft injured the knee shortly before the start of the season and underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (10-15): Standout center Karl-Anthony Towns (sprained left knee) is ailing from a tumble he took during Friday's game and is listed as questionable. Minnesota has allowed more than 120 points in each of the past six games and power forward Gorgui Dieng said the defensive effort needs to improve immediately. "Whatever the coaches do - I'm going to say this again - they can change the defensive scheme, but you have to have a heart," Dieng told reporters. "You have to want it first. You have to want to play defense. Sometimes we have a tendency to focus more on offense. If you don't have that defensive mindset, whatever the coaches do, it won't work."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Towns averaged 28 points as the teams split last season's four meetings.

2. New Orleans SG JJ Redick (groin) will likely miss his second straight game.

3. Minnesota SF Andrew Wiggins scored 34 points versus the Clippers for his fifth 30-point outing of the season.

PREDICTION: Timberwolves 125, Pelicans 120