Tonight at Ball Arena in Denver, CO, the Los Angeles Lakers (37-24) face the Denver Nuggets (38-24) in a Western Conference matchup that tips off at 10 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
The Lakers have recently benefited from playing below-average teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings and are riding a three-game winning streak. It’s been over a month since the Nuggets have won back-to-back contests, winning just five of their last 13.
With that in mind, let's look at a Lakers vs. Nuggets prediction and Thursday NBA picks. Make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money if you’re right, including on game winners, spreads, and totals.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Lakers vs. Nuggets Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
These teams have played one previous time this season, with the Lakers winning 115-107 on January 20. However, Nuggets C Nikola Jokic didn't play that outing due to injury. L.A. is tied with fifth-seeded Denver in the loss column, but the Nuggets have one more win.
Injuries are a consistent problem for Denver, as this team has rarely had its full lineup available. This hasn't prevented them from being the league’s best offense, averaging 120.5 points per game. On the defensive end, Denver is 22nd in efficiency.
The Lakers have also faced injuries to key players, including guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Spread, Over/Under
The Nuggets enter this matchup as 5.5-point home favorites, returning a 1.49x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Lakers are road underdogs with a 2.56x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks, where you can earn money with your picks in 34 states.
- Spread: Denver Nuggets -5.5
- Over/Under: 239.5
- Game Winner Payout: Lakers 2.56x | Nuggets 1.49x
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Prediction on Spread
Here are the key stats to know before locking in your Lakers vs. Nuggets prediction on spread for Thursday, March 5 on PrizePicks.
- The Lakers struggle as an underdog, owning an 8-15 record against the spread.
- Los Angeles plays in higher-scoring games as the underdog, with the total going over in 14 of 23 matchups.
- The over is 29-14 when Denver is the favorite.
- The Lakers allow 115.2 PPG, ranking 15th in the NBA.
- When the Nuggets score at least 115 points, they're 29-17 ATS.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Lakers vs. Nuggets injury report for Thursday, via NBA.com.
Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report
- C-PF Maxi Kleber (back) - Questionable
Denver Nuggets Injury Report
- F Aaron Gordon (hamstring): OUT
- F Cameron Johnson (ankle): Questionable
- F Spencer Jones (shoulder): OUT
- F-G Peyton Watson (hamstring): OUT
Lakers vs. Nuggets Picks for PrizePicks Today: 3/5/26
Here are two top Lakers vs. Nuggets PrizePicks picks to target on Thursday, March 5, featuring Lakers PG Luka Doncic and Nuggets C Nikola Jokic.
Lakers PG Luka Doncic Projection vs. Nuggets: 30.5 Points
- Doncic leads the entire NBA, averaging 32.4 PPG on the year.
- In the previous matchup against the Nuggets, the Slovenian star led the game with 38 points.
- The former Mavericks guard ranks second in the league with 31 games of scoring 30 or more points.
- The Nuggets have recently struggled against guards, allowing an average of 27.3 points since February 25, the sixth-highest in the league during that span.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Nuggets C Nikola Jokic Projection vs. Lakers: 54.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- Jokic currently leads the sport with 12.6 rebounds per game and 10.3 assists, also sitting sixth with 28.7 PPG.
- The Joker has exceeded his PRA projection in four of his last six games.
- The Serbian star excels in the Mile High City, averaging 52.2 PRA at home.
- Jokic's 24.1 potential assists per 100 and 27.1% defensive rebounding rate sit in the 100th and 98th percentiles, respectively, per databallr.
Make Lakers vs. Nuggets Picks on PrizePicks
Lakers vs. Nuggets picks aren’t the only avenue for hoops fans to get in on today’s NBA action.
You can make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 34 states.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued NBA predictions, picks, and news.
