Pelicans 92, Timberwolves 84: Anthony Davis had 21 points and 12 rebounds as visiting New Orleans held off struggling Minnesota.

Eric Gordon had 20 points and five assists for the Pelicans, who shot 50 percent to get back over .500 for the first time since Jan. 2. Tyreke Evans had 17 points and eight assists and Dante Cunningham added 14 points for New Orleans, which returns home for nine of its next 10 games.

Gorgui Dieng had 14 points and 15 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who matched the worst 42-game start in franchise history at 7-35 and now have the fewest wins in the NBA this season. Thaddeus Young scored 15 points as Minnesota dropped its 10th straight at home and failed to revenge the biggest loss in franchise history, 139-91 to the Pelicans back in November.

The Pelicans led the entire second half, but the Timberwolves got within three points twice and four points three times in the fourth quarter. Cunningham knocked down an elbow jumper and Evans scored on an uncontested layup as New Orleans pulled ahead 86-78 with 3 1/2 minutes to play and the Timberwolves never got closer then six down the stretch.

Minnesota jumped to an early 10-point lead, but the Hornets outscored the Timberwolves 15-3 the last six minutes of the first quarter for a 24-20 lead, and led 45-44 at the break. A 3-pointer by Gordon and four points by Davis pushed the Pelicans to a 66-56 lead with two minutes left in the third quarter, and New Orleans held a 69-63 edge entering the final 12 minutes.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Young scored seven points in the first 3 1/2 minutes as the Timberwolves jumped to an 11-1 lead. … Minnesota started 7-35 in 2007-08 and 7-37 in 1991-92. … Minnesota has made 10-of-43 3-pointers over its last three games.