The Minnesota Timberwolves narrowly avoided disaster on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans, edging out the bottom-feeding franchise 149-142 in overtime in a Smoothie King Center that was eerily empty for an NBA game.

Despite pulling out a win in the extra period, the Timberwolves allowed the most points they’ve given up to an opponent since allowing 146 in a loss to the Denver Nuggets in February 2023. Not only that, it’s tied for the fifth-most points allowed in any game in franchise history and marks the only time the team has won while allowing over 140 points in a game. 

After outscoring the Pelicans 20-13 in overtime to secure the victory, the Timberwolves are now 13-8 on the season and in sixth in the Western Conference standings. In addition to Anthony Edwards carrying with a season-high 44 points, Julius Randle also chipped in 16 points and six assists to help push Minnesota over the finish line.

When asked by a reporter in the postgame media session about how the team was able to flip the script so suddenly and dominate in overtime, Randle credited the fact that the team was simply getting more involved defensively in the most pivotal moments of the game.  

“Just getting involved,” Randle said. “The first half, they had a lot of transition points. Just us not getting back. Back cuts, stuff like that … We gave ourselves a chance at the win (in overtime). We didn't play well all game, but at that point, it's a new game. Whatever it takes to win, get the job done. Everything else is in the past.”

In terms of what the issue for the Timberwolves has been, namely defensively, over the last handful of games, Randle was quick to blame the team’s lack of focus. He pointed out that when they’re on, they’re on. However, when they’re off like they were on Tuesday, it can sometimes prove to be disastrous. Even if they got away with it this time.

“It’s probably just focus,” Randle said. “We've have really good games, then we have games like this. It’s probably more just a mentality and focus. I feel like it's just been us this season. I don't know. When we got energy, and we're playing well, it looks good. But when we don't, it looks just as bad.”

The Timberwolves get another crack at the Pelicans in New Orleans on Thursday, so they will surely be looking to avoid a similar nail-biting result.