"In theory, the New Orleans Hornets' game plan to neutralize Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love worked nicely for a half. But Love proved to be unstoppable in the third quarter, scoring 17 points, including the first five of the quarter that sparked a 15-2 Minnesota run, and the Timberwolves withstood a fourth-quarter Hornets surge and beat New Orleans 87-80 in front of 14,295 Friday night in the New Orleans Arena.

Love finished with 34 points and 15 rebounds, and Minnesota forced the Hornets to unravel after a respectable first half of basketball. Love shot 18 free throws, making 17. The Hornets attempted just 16. Minnesota was 33-of-38 at the free-throw line; New Orleans was 8-of-16.

Down by as many as 12 in the second half, the Hornets tied the score at 78 with 2:01 to go. But the T-Wolves went on a 6-0 run during the next 1:12 to seal the victory.

The plan to defend Love, the Timberwolves' leading scorer, rebounder and most dangerous weapon, was to shadow him around the offensive end, keep a body on him, and generally attempt to disrupt his rhythm.

"You try to make it tough on him," Hornets Coach Monty Williams said. "You want to keep a body on him at all times, obviously. You've got to contest his shots out to 3-point land. But again, I don't think you necessarily focus on his numbers as far as the principles involved. "