Free Pick: Lakers vs. Nuggets Odds
Looking for LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Free NBA predictions? NBA betting sees the Lakers taking on the Nuggets on 3/5 at Ball Arena in Denver. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups all season long, so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA predictions like this Lakers Nuggets free pick.
2026 NBA Handicapping – LA Lakers vs Denver Nuggets
(37-24) LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets (38-24)
Date: Mar 5, 2026
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
NBA Moneyline Odds: Lakers +175| Nuggets -189 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NBA Point Spread Betting Odds: Lakers +5 | Nuggets -5
NBA Basketball Gambling Total: O/U: 240.5
Here’s why I’m taking the hometown favorites as per below in my Lakers Nuggets free pick & gambling prediction for this matchup.
- Live Betting Odds for today’s Lakers vs. Nuggets game!
- Want more basketball predictions like this Lakers Nuggets play? Check out our free NBA AI Picks for today!
- View our Updated Sportsbook Bonuses for today!
Lakers vs. Nuggets Gameday
Thursday offers up a nine-game slate of NBA action, including the LA Lakers on the road to face the Denver Nuggets in the nightcap.
LA last played on Tuesday, defeating the Pelicans 110-101. All five starters scored in double figures, led by Luka Doncic who served up a double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds plus seven assists.
Denver last played on Monday, bouncing back from a tough loss to the Wolves by collecting a harder-than-necessary 128-125 victory versus the Utah Jazz.
All five starters scored in double figures, led by Jamal Murray with 45 points as he shot 13 of 19 overall and 8 of 13 from deep. Nikola Jokic registered a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds.
We want to hear from you below! Comments are welcome! Give us your picks for this LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets NBA matchup.
Expert NBA Hoops Picks
Looking for an edge on tonight’s NBA board? Check out the featured premium plays from CappersPicks handicappers, with point spreads, moneylines, totals, and more from around the league.
LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Odds & Last 5
Head-to-head, last year the teams split their four-game series, while the Lakers are up 1-0 in this season’s series.
LA is on a three-game winning streak and sits in the sixth seed in the West with a record of 37-24. LA is directly behind the Nuggets, trailing by just a half game. After this match, the Lakers return home for a five-game stand.
It’s been a tough stretch for the Nuggets, who have alternated between wins and losses but have been in most matches in the clutch. Denver has fallen to the fifth seed with a record of 38-24. They trail the Wolves by a full game and, as noted, have the half-game lead over LA.
Denver is favored by five points with an over/under of 240.5 points.
Lakers Stats
LA ranks 10th offensively (116.3) and 22nd defensively (116.0), while they are tied for 16th in net rating (+0.3), running a pace of 99.43, which ranks 20th in the association.
The West’s sixth seed averages 115.8 points per game while its opponents average 115.2 points. In terms of dimes and boards, the Lakers average 25.4 (20th) and 41.0 (29th), respectively.
Team leaders* for key categories are Luka Doncic for scoring (**32.4 points), assists (8.6), and steals (1.4), Deandre Ayton for rebounding (8.3), and for blocks (0.9).
LA shoots the deep ball at an average of 35.6%, with eight players shooting above league average. Albeit Jaxson Hayes also falls in this category, but has only attempted one 3-point shot this season.
*Minimum 20 games played
**Leads the NBA
YOU CAN CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR TOP NBA CAPPERS! (All Under 1 Roof)
Nuggets Stats
Denver ranks first offensively (120.3) and tied for 21st defensively (115.9) while holding the seventh-best net rating (+4.4) and ranks 22nd in pace (98.99).
The West’s fifth seed averages 120.5 points per game while its opponents average 116.1 points. In terms of dimes and boards, Denver averages 28.0 (ninth) and 43.3 (18th), respectively.
Team leaders* in key categories are Nikola Jokic for scoring (28.7), **rebounding (12.6), assists (10.3), and steals (1.3), while Peyton Watson leads in blocks (1.2).
As for perimeter efficiency, the Nuggets as a team shoot 39.2% (1st in NBA) with nine players shooting above the league average.
*Minimum 10 games played
**leads the NBA
LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets bottom line:
Denver is desperate to get back their best defenders as Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson continue to remain out and now Cam Johnson is questionable.
They navigated a tough stretch of games and hopefully will get back Gordon and Watson in the next few games to help them with the stretch run and their attempt to move back up the ladder.
LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Basketball Betting Trends
- The Lakers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games against Denver.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the Lakers’ last 6 games.
- The Lakers are 4-14 SU in their last 18 games against Denver.
- Also, Denver is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 11 of Denver’s last 15 games.
- Additionally, Denver is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games played in March.
Lakers Nuggets Free Pick: Nuggets -5.5
Here is my Lakers Nuggets free pick.
It’s crazy to me that the media can be so fickle. A new narrative in the zeitgeist has writers extolling Nikola Jokic, who perhaps has begun his descent from the upper echelon.
Let’s not forget he suffered an injury, and that’s something Jokic has typically avoided. Please, give the man some time to get back to 100 percent before we write off the best player in the league.
Defense isn’t the only reason the Nuggets need Gordon and Watson back. They’ve improved dramatically on the defensive end since the break but have simultaneously witnessed their offense trail off. Having two players to focus on defense will allow Jokic and Murray et el to get back into an offensive rhythm with some energy to execute.
The Lakers defense is horrific which is why I don’t see them as a contender. Denver hasn’t been much better overall but have the talent to perform when healthy.
The Nuggets have struggled to collect consecutive wins while they’ve been shorthanded. In fact, the last time they won two in a row was at the end of January when they beat the Nets and Clippers in a back-to-back.
They also had avoided losing two in a row recently until they fell to the Thunder and Wolves, but I’m betting on them finally breaking that trend. Take the Nuggets to win and cover.
Today’s NBA Free Pick
Best Sportsbooks For LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Gambling Today!
- 50% Reload Bonuses
- Daily Player Promos
- Live Dealer Casino
- Crypto Deposit Bonuses
- Same-Game Parlays
- Sports + Casino + Poker
- Same-Game Parlays
- Overnight Lines
- Progressive Jackpots
- Reduced-Juice Lines
- 7% Racebook Rebate
- 100% Crypto Bonus
- VIP Cash Rewards
- Live Betting & Props
- High Betting Limits
NBA Betting Tweet Of The Day
Officially a Nugget ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/kYh2GvKxih
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 5, 2026
All in all, if you’re looking for more NBA picks like LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets matchup, we’ll be providing 4* free NBA plays on the blog all season long. In fact, you can check out our NBA experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA basketball picks!
What’s more, register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for daily free picks & more special offers! Lastly, what do you think, are you tailing this Lakers Nuggets free pick?
