NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Devin Brown scored 19 points Friday and New Orleans put together a key third-quarter run that lifted the Hornets to a 98-89 victory over Minnesota.
David West broke a 63-63 tie with a 3-pointer that ignited a 7-0 surge. The Hornets went on to a 10-point lead going into the fourth quarter and Minnesota came no closer than five during the final 12 minutes.
West added 17, as did Emeka Okafor. Chris Paul returned to the New Orleans lineup after missing eight games with a sprained left ankle. He contributed 16 points and 15 assists.
Minnesota was led by Al Jefferson's 20 points.
The Timberwolves have won just twice this season, once more than the New Jersey Nets. New Jersey got its first victory of the campaign earlier Friday.
