Deng, Bennett power Cavs to third straight

February 12, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Luol Deng scored 22 points, and the Cleveland Cavaliers avenged a 44-point loss to Sacramento with a 109-99 win over the Kings on Tuesday night.

The Cavaliers, who were routed 124-80 in Sacramento on Jan. 12, took a double-figure lead early in the second quarter and were in control the remainder of the game. Cleveland has won three in a row for the second time this season.

Anthony Bennett, the No. 1 pick in the draft who has struggled most of the season, recorded career highs with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Dion Waiters added 20 points.

DeMarcus Cousins scored 21 points to lead the Kings.

The Cavaliers built a 67-49 lead in the third quarter. The Kings cut their deficit to seven points early in the fourth, but Cleveland went on a 7-0 run, sparked by Kyrie Irving’s 3-pointer, to go ahead 91-77.

Cleveland also won three straight from Dec. 7-13. The Cavaliers will go for a season-high, four-game winning streak in their final game before the All-Star break tonight at Detroit.