Cavalier picks off to positive starts in Minnesota

Cavalier picks off to positive starts in Minnesota

Published Oct. 8, 2014 8:09 p.m. ET

A pair of Cleveland No. 1 picks are looking to forge careers with another NBA team this month, and early reviews are positive.

Andrew Wiggins, the player the Cavaliers chose with the first pick in the most recent NBA draft then traded to Minnesota for Kevin Love, started the preseason opener for the Timberwolves on Tuesday night and scored a team-high 18 points in 33 minutes. He made 4 of 11 field goals, including both attempts from three-point range. He was also 8 of 10 from the free-throw line.

Meanwhile, another former No. 1 overall pick of the Cavaliers is also looking to make a positive impact in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

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Anthony Bennett did not play in the T-Wolves opener because of a leg injury, but Minnesota head coach Flip Saunders described the second-year forward as "a canvas that hasn't been painted yet" following one often difficult season in Cleveland.

FOX Sports North reports the UNLV product has dropped about 10 pounds and has been one of the biggest surprises of training camp, thanks in no small part an improved jump shot. Bennett also appears to be benefitting from LASIK surgery and procedures to remove his tonsils and adenoids.

"He's a willing learner and he's one of those guys that is going to continue to get better and better with us every day," Saunders said. "He does do a lot of things some other guys can't do."

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