Rookie Anthony Bennett drilled a 3-pointer and threw his arms up into the air to celebrate late in the Cavaliers 109-99 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night at The Q.
“I was just having fun,” said Bennett, who registered his first double-double with career highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds in 29:45 as the Cavs avenged a 124-80 loss in Sacramento on Jan. 12 and improved to 19-33, winning three in a row for the first time since Dec. 7-13.
When was the last time he had fun on the basketball court?
“I don’t remember,” Bennett said. “Today?”
The timing was bittersweet as Bennett, whose selection as the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft has been widely criticized, and his slow start undoubtedly contributed to the firing of general manager Chris Grant last week.
“I’m sure Chris Grant is smiling at home, and deservedly so,” said Sacramento coach — and former Cavs assistant under Mike Brown — Mike Malone, whose team dropped to 17-35.
Bennett, who had shoulder surgery before the draft last summer and was unable to participate in summer league, has been coming early to practice and staying late, working to regain the form that made him a star last season at UNLV.
His teammates celebrated with him after Tuesday’s breakout game.
“He played a heck of a game tonight,” Kyrie Irving said. “It was awesome. I was a fan.”
Added Luol Deng, who led the Cavs with 22 points, “He’s going to get it. These kind of games are going to come more often.”
With the Cavs missing Anderson Varejao (back) and C.J. Miles (sore right foot), Bennett came through when it counted, leading a strong bench effort that included 20 points and eight assists from Dion Waiters and an active 18 minutes from Henry Sims, who fished with seven points and five rebounds before fouling out. Tristan Thompson also had 16 points and 13 rebounds.
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