Davis likes Lakers’ title chances

Anthony Davis says he likes the Los Angeles Lakers’ chances of winning the NBA title when the coronavirus-halted season resumes July 30 even more after the fourmonth break.

The 27-year-old power forward says he feels “100% healthy” after working out at home nearly every day since the NBA shut down on March 11 after Utah’s Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.

“Actually I think our chances are higher because we’re all rested,” Davis told reporters Thursday (Friday Phl time). “It’s going to be who wants it more.

“We’re motivated as a team and self-motivated to win.”

The LeBron James-led Lakers had the second-best record in the NBA at 49-14 and topped the Western Conference by 5.5 games over the Los Angeles Clippers when the campaign was halted.

They will travel to the NBA “bubble” at Orlando, Florida, next week for training camp and play eight more regular-season games without fans starting July 30 against the Clippers before the playoffs begin.

If the Lakers do make a run to the championship with the NBA Finals in October, they would spend about three months in the quarantine atmosphere.

The Lakers will be without guard Avery Bradley, who opted out of the comeback plan, and might not have center Dwight Howard, who’s status is uncertain.

“Obviously we’ll miss (Bradley) but we have guys that are healthy, guys that are ready to go,” Davis said.

The Lakers have added J.R. Smith, a former James teammate in Cleveland, to replace Bradley, while Dion Waiters and Markieff Morris had barely joined the Lakers before the shutdown.