INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The No. 1 overall pick is still looking for basket No. 1. Anthony Bennett, the first player taken in this years NBA draft, hasnt scored a field goal for the Cavaliers. Through four games, Clevelands burly forward from Brampton, Ont., has missed each of his 15 shots from the field, including eight 3-pointers. He appears lost with the ball in his hands, causing some to wonder if the Cavs made a mistake with their choice. Hes O-for-the-season so far. According to STATS, Bennett is just the fifth rookie -- playing a minimum of five minutes -- to begin his career without making a field goal in the first four games. None of the other four, though, was selected ahead of every player in the draft. Cavs coach Mike Brown said there are several reasons for Bennetts drought. "Hes probably pressing to a certain degree," Brown said after practice Tuesday. "So its probably a little of that and a little bit of being on a big stage now in the regular season with it counting. Theres probably some of where his opponents are looking at him and saying that theyre going to come at him. They may not care that hes the No. 1 pick." For comparisons sake, Philadelphia 76ers rookie Michael Carter-Williams has 26 field goals already, and eight other rookies who have attempted at least 15 shots have put one shot through the rim. Bennetts alarming field-goal deficiency extended to four games Monday night when he went 0 for 3 in 10 minutes during a 93-92 win over Minnesota. He was not available to speak to reporters following practice as he quickly dressed and went home to take care of personal business before the Cavs flew to Milwaukee. The 20-year-old showed flashes of offensive firepower during the exhibition season, but the regular season has been nothing but a series of missed shots. He is 2 for 4 at the free-throw line, with each attempt coming in his NBA debut against Brooklyn. The Cavs insist its too early for them to be overly concerned about Bennetts scoring woes. Brown dismissed any thought of sitting the first-year player to clear his head. However, Bennetts inability to score -- hes averaging 12.8 minutes per game -- could show that hes going to need some extra time before he can be counted on as a major contributor. "I look at it as hes a guy that can grow slowly into his role with us and thats the exciting part of it," Brown said. "I just want him to keep going out there and playing, and if you can take advantage of your opponent on either end of the floor, go ahead and do it." And while Bennett hasnt delivered on the offensive end, the 6-foot-8, 240-pounder has provided some solid defence and rebounding. At Indiana last Saturday night, when he tried to flip in a layup and had it roll around the rim and out, Bennett grabbed six boards. "Defensively, hes been better than what I thought," Brown said. "I actually thought he was going to struggle defensively -- bad. But hes picked up on the concepts and hes been tougher and stronger than what I expected. "At the end of the day, and Ive seen it with my own eyes, he can score. He can score from all three levels and once he figures out how hard he has to play offensively in order for it to happen on a possession by possession occurrence, hell be good." Until then, Bennett is getting support from his teammates. Theyre urging him to keep his chin up and the shots will eventually go down. "We just keep encouraging him," point guard Jarrett Jack said. "We want him to understand, You made it this far because you are a special player and dont ever forget that. The one thing you do have to have in this league to be successful is confidence, and once that starts to waver, its going to have a snowball effect. "There was going to be a time this season when he was going to have a tough three-game stretch. Its just that it started in the first couple of games. There are 78 more to go. Once were in January or February and hes being his old self, Ill go over to him and say, You did all that worrying for nothing." First, though, Bennett needs to make a shot.
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Eric Rowe Womens Jersey . Did the same to Duke, too. The Seminoles were a trendy Final Four pick entering the NCAA tournament, and they were nearly sent home by little St.TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona Cardinals are inching closer to a playoff berth but this week face two obstacles: a suddenly surging St. Louis Rams team and playing on the road, where theyve been inconsistent.The Cardinals are 7-0 at home but only 3-3 on the road. They scored only three points in a defeat at Seattle on Nov. 23 and lost 29-18 at Atlanta the following week. They have gained only 99 total yards rushing in the past two road games.This week, they face a Rams team (6-7) that shut out its last two opponents, Oakland and Washington, and they have to do it in a short week.To me, its probably one of the best defences in the NFL right now, Cardinals offensive co-ordinator Harold Goodwin said Tuesday. Theyre playing hot. Theyre at home, its going to be loud, they should have a decent crowd. We beat them once so Im sure theyre going to want revenge.The Cardinals beat the Rams 31-14 in Arizona on Nov. 9.How do you get rid of the crowd noise? You have to be successful on offence. You have to stay on the grass, you have to make plays, Goodwin said, emphasizing the ground attack. The previous two road games, we havent done that. We have to be effective on offence, we have to be efficient on offence. Weve got to help our defence out, give them some rest and weve got to put points on the board.The Rams defence may have something to say about that. Theyve allowed 16.9 points per game over the past eight weeks, fourth-best in the NFL during that time, and no team has more sacks (34) in those eight weeks. St. Louis has allowed 28 or fewer total yards rushing in three of its last five games.The Cardinals will face that defence on Thursday night without running back Andre Ellington, lost for the season due to a hip injurry, and could turn to Kerwynn Williams for the second straight week.dddddddddddd Williams was elevated from the Cardinals practice squad on Friday and rushed for 100 yards on 19 carries against Kansas City last weekend.Its always good to get some experience out there and some playing time on the field, Williams said. It definitely gives you more confidence heading into the next week. But you always have to keep that level head and keep grinding.Road teams are 5-8 on Thursday night this season, but the Cardinals hope that the travel factor is neutralized with St. Louis coming off a road game at Washington on Sunday.Its not about just getting into the playoffs, its about putting yourself in a good position once you get there, Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said.NOTES: Ellington, placed on injured reserve Monday, tweeted a photo of himself lying down with a thumbs-up gesture, saying Surgery went well. Thanks for your support and prayers. Ellington had hernia surgery on Tuesday. ... The Cardinals will practice Wednesday morning at their facility before flying to St. Louis. . Fitzgerald compared his teams lack of flashy play to the NBAs San Antonio Spurs. Obviously, without the championship rings, Fitzgerald said. They just kind of methodically get it done. Its never really pretty, pick-and-roll, Tim Duncan shooting off the backboard. Its not sexy ... but its effective. We get in close games down the stretch so were able to finish. Thats what its coming down to. . CB Antonio Cromartie (thumb) ran at practice Tuesday, defensive co-ordinator Todd Bowles said. Cromartie missed Mondays practice and could be a game-time decision.___AP NFL websites:
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