5 reasons Los Angeles Lakers can win 2021 NBA championship

5 reasons Los Angeles Lakers can still win 2021 NBA championship

LeBron James #23 and Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate after defeating the Denver Nuggets 124-121 at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

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Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

3. Anthony Davis is looking like himself again

It would be an understatement to say Davis hasn’t been playing his best on the Lakers this season. He’s averaging 21.9 points a game, his lowest output since 2013 when he was on the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s recording a career-low 8.0 rebounds per game despite his 1.8 blocks, and for the second time in his career, Davis is shooting below 50 percent from the field. Due to various injuries, Davis has played in just 33 games this season, and since returning from his calf injury 10 games ago, he’s averaged just 20.6 points and 7.2 rebounds a night on .424/.235/.762 shooting splits.

All of that could change in the playoffs, however. In Sunday night’s win against the Phoenix Suns, Davis recorded a season-high 42 points along with 12 rebounds, shooting 15-of-17 from the free-throw line and almost singlehandedly leading the Lakers to a crucial victory.

Davis’ dominance in that game capped off a streak of hot performances from the big man, who continues to be clutch for Los Angeles. In last Monday’s win against the Denver Nuggets, Davis scored an important bucket in a nail-biting fourth quarter and also came through with a huge block. In last Friday’s loss against the Portland Trail Blazers, Davis still carried the team with 36 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. He was the reason Los Angeles still had a chance in the game, raising team morale even after Damian Lillard kept drilling 3s.

It’s obviously too soon to call, but given his recent stretch of games, Anthony Davis might be back. For good. Which means Lakers’ playoff opponents will have so much more to worry about.

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