The top pick in last year's NBA Draft contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds, both career highs, in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 109-99 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
In fact, Bennett has been ... less of a bust the past two-plus weeks. He's averaging 9.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in his past eight games, boosting his season averages to ... 2.4 and 2.0, respectively.
"You're starting to see a little bit of what we see in practice and the reason why we drafted him," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown told reporters. "He's a talented young man and he's starting to come to life a little bit. He's even better than what you saw tonight."
Former general manager Chris Grant, who was fired last week, was roundly criticized for taking Bennett with the first pick in June, but the rookie from UNLV has made major strides after being a non-factor until mid-January.
"Anthony Bennett kicked our butt," Kings coach Michael Malone said. "I'm sure Chris Grant is smiling at home — and deservedly so — because that was his No. 1 pick." Malone was an assistant in Cleveland before being hired by Sacramento.
Bennett was smiling, too. Asked when the last time he had fun playing basketball he said, "I don't remember, but today was one of those days."
The Associated Press contrbuted to this report.
