Los Angeles Lakers' Championship Chances Have Improved, Says Anthony Davis
How will the long layoff affect the Los Angeles Lakers’ title chances? Anthony Davis believes the team might have an even better shot at winning the 2020 NBA Finals than if the season had never been put on hold.
“Actually I think our chances are higher because we’re all rested,” Davis told reporters Thursday. “It’s going to be who wants it more.”
The Lakers had a 49-14 record when the season was suspended indefinitely on March 11, sitting 5.5 games atop the Western Conference. As 22 teams head to Orlando, Florida for an eight-game schedule, Los Angeles has clinched a playoff berth and all but secured the No.1 seed.
Davis missed eight games during the regular season due to various injuries. LeBron James played 60 of the team’s 63 games and appeared to be relatively healthy.
AD on LAL’s championship chances: "I think it’s kind of the same. Obviously we’ll miss (Avery Bradley), but we have guys that are healthy, guys that are ready to go. Actually I think our chances are higher because we’re all rested. It’s going to be who wants it more."
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 2, 2020
AD has missed 8 games with: sore right shoulder (1); ankle sprain (1); gluteus maximus contusion (5); right knee soreness (1). He said the hiatus has "given me a chance to let my body recover ... let everything heal, get back to like how I was at the beginning of the year."
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 2, 2020
Los Angeles began the season with the second-oldest roster in the league.
Guard Avery Bradley has opted-out of the league’s restart in Orlando. It’s still unknown if Dwight Howard will finish the season.
J.R. Smith was recently added to the roster to replace Bradley, who’s started 44 games.
It’s unknown how the hiatus will affect the chemistry of each team. The season is scheduled to resume on July 30, 141 days since the last NBA game.
The Milwaukee Bucks have the NBA’s best record, and reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to win the award for a second straight year. The Los Angeles Clippers have arguably the deepest roster in the league, led by 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
Less than a week before the season was suspended, the Lakers defeated the Bucks and Clippers in consecutive games. James outplayed both Antetokounmpo and Leonard, reminding the league that he might still be the best basketball player in the world.
The Lakers are the consensus betting favorites to win the West. Some sportsbooks give Los Angeles the best odds to win the championship in October.
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