NEW ORLEANS — Andrew Wiggins scored 30 points and the Golden State Warriors secured a knockout round spot in the NBA Cup with a 112-108 victory over the reeling New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
Stephen Curry scored 19 for the Warriors, who improved to 3-0 in West Group C.
Buddy Hield capped his 12-point performance with two free throws with 18.5 seconds left to help hold New Orleans at bay and ensure Golden State would advance out of group play as a wild card at least, if not the group winner.
Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 24 points but missed a 3-pointer for the lead with 5 seconds remaining — a shot made possible by Brandon Boston Jr’s steal of a Golden State inbound pass.
Golden State’s Draymond Green was fouled as he grabbed the rebound of Murphy’s miss and hit both free throws for the final margin.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl scored 19 points, Brandon Ingram added 18 and Boston 16 for the Pelicans, who fell to 1-2 in group play and lost for the 10th time in 11 games.
Jordan Hawkins returned from a seven-game absence caused by back soreness and had six points.
Warriors: Depth and balance made a difference for Golden State. Green and Brandin Podziemski each scored 11 points.
Pelicans: With rookie center and first-round draft choice Yves Missi sitting out because of a sore left shoulder, the injury-riddled Pelicans opened the game with their 12th different starting lineup of the season (Elfrid Payton, Daniel Theis, Javonte Green, Ingram and Murphy).
Wiggins made a spin move and tossed in a 13-foot floater while being fouled by Robinson-Earl with 5:13 left. He completed the three-point play to make it 102-94 and the Pelicans got no closer that 110-108 after that.
Golden State outrebounded New Orleans 52-42.
Warriors: Visit San Antonio on Saturday night.
Pelicans: Visit Indiana on Monday night.
