Wiggins scores 30, Warriors win their NBA Cup group with a 112-108 triumph over the Pelicans

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Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans guard Brandon Boston Jr. (11) leaps to block Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) goes to the basket in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans guard Brandon Boston Jr. (11) and center Trey Jemison III leap for a rebound against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) and forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) loses the ball as he battles between Golden State Warriors forward Kyle Anderson (1) and guard Moses Moody (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) shoots against Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) goes to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Javonte Green (4) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans guard Brandon Boston Jr. (11) pulls the shirt of Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) as he goes to the basket against guard Trey Murphy III (25) in the second half of an an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. The Warriors won 108-112. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts with the bench after guard Buddy Hield (7) made a 3-point basket in the second half of an an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. The Warriors won 108-112. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans center Trey Jemison III in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green yells at an official, drawing a technical foul, in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) is fouled by Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) as he drives to the basket in the second half of an an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. The Warriors won 108-112. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

By BRETT MARTEL

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — 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 and clinched first place in the group when Denver lost to Dallas.

Buddy Hield capped his 12-point performance with two free throws with 18.5 seconds left to help Golden State hold New Orleans at bay.

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.

Takeaways

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).

Key moment

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.

Key stat

Golden State outrebounded New Orleans 52-42.

Up next

Warriors: Visit San Antonio on Saturday night.

Pelicans: Visit Indiana on Monday night.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA