The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 115–109 in NBA Cup play Friday night in New Orleans.
Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu scored 26 points. Guard LaMelo Ball added 22 points and eight assists. Forward Jaden McDaniels contributed 23 points.
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Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears led all scorers with 24 points. Forward Saddiq Bey scored 17. Forward Zion Williamson finished with 13 points — his lowest total this season.
Dejounte Murray’s three-pointer gave New Orleans an 89–87 lead with 7:55 remaining. Ball then scored five consecutive points, and Minnesota completed a 10–2 run to take a 97–91 advantage. The Timberwolves held that lead for the rest of the game.
Minnesota made five three-pointers in the first quarter — two by Dosunmu — to build a 13–5 lead. Center Karlo Matkovic hit three threes during a 17–4 Pelicans run that ended with a basket by Fears and a 24–22 New Orleans lead.
The Timberwolves improved to 2–0 in NBA Cup play and are 7–3 overall. The Pelicans fell to 0–1 in the tournament and are 4–5 overall.
Minnesota hosts the Utah Jazz on Sunday night. New Orleans plays at the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night.
More: NBA · Minnesota Timberwolves · New Orleans Pelicans
