NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — Ayo Dosunmu scored 26 points and Jaden McDaniels added 23 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 115-109 on Friday night at Smoothie King Center. Minnesota improved to 7-3 and remained unbeaten in NBA Cup play at 2-0. New Orleans dropped to 4-5 and 0-1 in Cup play, ending a four-game winning streak. The Pelicans had won four straight before the loss. The game drew an announced attendance of 17,767.

The Timberwolves got 22 points and eight assists from LaMelo Ball, 17 points and eight rebounds from Jonathan Kuminga, and 13 rebounds from Trey Lyles. Rudy Gobert added 11 rebounds and one block. Minnesota shot 38 of 88 from the floor, 12 of 39 from 3-point range and 27 of 37 from the free-throw line. The Timberwolves held a 17-12 edge in offensive rebounds, blocked six shots and committed 11 turnovers. New Orleans shot 39 of 86 overall, 10 of 24 from beyond the arc and 21 of 26 at the line, with 12 offensive rebounds, four blocks and 13 turnovers. Minnesota was whistled for 22 fouls and New Orleans 28.

Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 24 points, five rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes. Saddiq Bey scored 17 points and added five rebounds and four assists. Zion Williamson had 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Trey Murphy finished with 10 points, four rebounds and five assists, and Dejounte Murray contributed key shot-making in the backcourt. Karlo Matkovic gave the Pelicans an early lift with a series of 3-pointers and inside finishes.

New Orleans started quickly as Matkovic hit a 24-foot 3-pointer on the game’s first possession, with Fears assisting. Minnesota answered through Dosunmu and Kuminga, and Ball’s step-back 3-pointer and driving layup helped the Timberwolves build an early edge. The Pelicans stayed close behind Matkovic and Fears and moved ahead late in the opening period. Minnesota regrouped with a balanced second quarter. McDaniels scored at the rim and from 3-point range, Dosunmu added driving layups, and Jaylen Clark provided a spark with a 3-pointer and a three-point play. Kuminga and Ball also got to the free-throw line as the Timberwolves turned an early deficit into a halftime advantage.

McDaniels, Minnesota’s top star, had 23 points in 40 minutes and continued a strong recent stretch. He had scored in double figures in each of his previous four games, including 23 points against the L.A. Clippers and 19 at San Antonio. Dosunmu finished with 26 points, two rebounds, four assists and one block in 39 minutes. Ball added 22 points, two rebounds and eight assists. Kuminga had 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Lyles contributed five points, 13 rebounds, two assists and one block. Gobert finished with eight points, 11 rebounds and one block.

The most important stretch came in the fourth quarter. Dejounte Murray’s 3-pointer gave New Orleans an 89-87 lead with 7:55 remaining. Ball responded with five consecutive points, igniting a 10-2 Minnesota run that pushed the Timberwolves ahead 97-91. Kuminga added free throws and a layup during the surge, while McDaniels and Dosunmu helped stabilize the offense. New Orleans did not go away. Fears attacked the basket repeatedly, Bey hit a late 3-pointer, and the Pelicans cut into the deficit. Dosunmu answered with a 3-pointer and a running jumper, and McDaniels hit a 26-foot 3-pointer with about a minute left to help Minnesota hold its cushion. Lyles made a late free throw, and Minnesota made enough plays down the stretch to close out the win.

Minnesota finished with 100 possessions and an offensive rating of 115.5, while New Orleans had 99 possessions and an offensive rating of 109.7. The Timberwolves overcame a low assist total of five by winning the offensive glass and getting to the line. New Orleans had seven assists, four blocks and 13 turnovers. The Pelicans’ four-game winning streak included victories over Sacramento, Atlanta, Memphis and Utah. Minnesota had won three of four coming in, including a road win at Houston and a home win over Milwaukee. Fears’ 24 points led all New Orleans scorers, while Bey and Williamson gave the Pelicans production inside and on the perimeter.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected New Orleans to win 113-108, while Interstat’s ELO system gave Minnesota a 77 percent probability of winning. Minnesota had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -3.5. The total score of 224 went over the over-under line of 230.5.