With home fans wearing red T-shirts and the intensity at a high level – including a few minor dust-ups between opposing players – Friday’s NBA Cup matchup had the feel and vibe of a high-stakes game. Playing in a third consecutive Western Conference battle this week, New Orleans matched Minnesota for three-plus quarters, but the Timberwolves took over down the stretch, finally creating a multi-possession advantage. The Pelicans led by two points entering the fourth quarter, before their guests won that period by a 38-30 margin, going up by double digits at one stage.

Karlo Matkovic was a major catalyst for New Orleans, going on a three-point binge early and scoring 16 first-quarter points. He finished with 18 points. Jeremiah Fears led the Pelicans overall with 24 points, tallying many of his nine field goals on drives to the rim. New Orleans saw its four-game winning streak come to a halt.

New Orleans will play an NBA Cup game on each of the next three Fridays, facing Memphis, Oklahoma City and the Clippers, respectively, with the latter two on the road.

BY THE NUMBERS

6: Herb Jones fouls in only 14 minutes of action. He picked up the final three in rapid succession, ending his night early. Pelicans head coach Jamahl Mosley noted after the game that Jones felt some frustration based on trying to avoid being screened by the physical Timberwolves. Jones and Minnesota center Rudy Gobert exchanged pleasantries a few times after crashing into each other or grappling in the paint.

37-26: In related news, Minnesota shot 11 more free throws than New Orleans. The Pelicans were whistled for their fifth team foul early in the fourth quarter. Mosley cited that area as damaging, as well as Minnesota's 17 offensive rebounds, leading to 20 second-chance points.

37-19: New Orleans bench scoring advantage, led by 17 points from Saddiq Bey and a season-best 12 by Trendon Watford. Pelicans reserves have outplayed and outproduced their opponents in virtually every game this season.

NEXT FOR NEW ORLEANS

A trip to California for a Sunday/Monday back-to-back at the Clippers and Golden State. Both Pacific Division teams began the season poorly, but the Warriors rebounded with a six-game winning streak, while Los Angeles is just 1-7, battling some key injuries (former Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram among those). The Clips will be well rested Sunday, with no games since a Wednesday overtime loss to Miami on Klay Thompson’s buzzer-beating three.

NEXT VS. TIMBERWOLVES

The Pelicans are avoiding the cruel Minnesota weather until March 8 in Minneapolis. That is followed by a March 18 Blender meeting.

WEST GROUP B STANDINGS

Minnesota 2-0, +32
Oklahoma City 1-0, +31
NEW ORLEANS 0-1, -6
LA Clippers 0-1, -26
Memphis 0-1, -31