Final Score: New Orleans/Oklahoma City 99, Minnesota 96

Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Chris Paul scored 35 points, but it was Peja Stojakovic who was the hero, as he hit a three-pointer with 0.6 seconds left to lift the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets to a thrilling 99-96 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Minnesota's Mike James appeared to send the game to overtime, after taking the feed from Kevin Garnett and drilling a clutch three-pointer with 2.9 seconds left that knotted the game at 96-96. The shot was James' only field goal of the night.

The Hornets had one more chance, though, and Stojakovic made the most of it. Marko Jaric was unable to stay with Stojakovic on the inbounds play, and he fired off a shot from in front of the Minnesota bench that fell through with 0.6 seconds left in the game. Minnesota was unable to get off another shot.

"It shouldn't have come down to that," said James, "We had a good lead and we just let the lead get away from us."

Stojakovic's game-winner gave him 20 points on the night. Desmond Mason added 10 for the Hornets, who have won three in a row.

"This was a huge game for us," said Paul. "We got a big win here."

Garnett led the Timberwolves with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Troy Hudson provided a major spark off of the Minnesota bench, scoring 20 on a night when he hit four-of-five from behind the three-point line. Mark Blount scored 14 and pulled down seven boards for the Timberwolves, who have lost two in a row and six of seven.

Ricky Davis added 11 for the Timberwolves.

It was the Garnett show in the first quarter, as he scored Minnesota's first eight points and finished with 12 in the quarter to keep the Timberwolves in the game, as they trailed 32-28 going into the second quarter.

The Hornets scored six straight points to open the second quarter, capped by a Cedric Simmons dunk that gave New Orleans/Oklahoma City a 38-28 lead with 9:18 left in the first half.

The Timberwolves responded though, scoring six straight points to cut the Hornets lead to four, then eventually taking the lead on a Jaric driving layup that made it 46-44 with 2:18 left in the half. The Timberwolves took a 53-48 lead into halftime and 74-65 heading into the final 12 minutes.

Game Notes

Minnesota outrebounded the Hornets 50-37...The Hornets made 17-of-20 free throws...The Hornets had dropped seven of their last 10 games in Minnesota.

11/18 23:41:10 ET