NBA Prop Bets: Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers (March 5, 2026)
The Los Angeles Lakers (37-24) face the Denver Nuggets (38-24) at Ball Arena. Let's take a look at the NBA Prop Bets for Thursday's matchup. The Nuggets are favored to win at -192, currently marked as 4.5-point favorites, while the Lakers are at +160. The total points line is set at 240.5, with OVER at -110 and UNDER at -110, meaning the implied expected score for the game is 122-118 Denver.
- The Nuggets (-110) have a 34-28-0 ATS record this season, while the Lakers (-110) hold a record of 31-28-2.
- The Nuggets have a 38-23-1 O/U record this season (meaning 38 games have gone over the total points line, 23 have gone under and one has resulted in a push). The Lakers have a 32-28-1 O/U record.
Scoring Insights
- The Nuggets are averaging 120.5 points per game this season (1st in the league). Comparatively, the Lakers are averaging only 115.8 (12th).
- Defensively, the Nuggets are giving up 116.1 points per game this season (19th in the league), while the Lakers are giving up an average of 115.2 points (15th).
Game Style
What do the stats tell us about the style of basketball these teams are playing this season?
Pace
- The Nuggets currently rank 22nd for pace this season, recording 97.9 possessions per game. Alternatively, the Lakers sit 20th on that scale with 98.5 possessions per contest.
Field Goal Split
- Looking at field goal splits, 40.3% of the Nuggets' field goal attempts come from three point range (21st in the league), leaving 59.7% from two. Meanwhile, the Lakers' opponents are taking 41.5% of their attempts from three (T13th) and 58.5% from two.
- Comparatively, the Lakers takes 40.0% of shots from three (24th), leaving 60.0% from two, while Denver's opponents are attempting 42.3% from three (22nd) and 57.7% from two.
Beyond the Arc
- In terms of made three-pointers, the Nuggets are shooting 39.2% from deep in 2025/26 (1st in the NBA), compared to the Lakers who are making 35.6% of their attempts (16th).
- On the opposite end, Denver is holding opponents to 35.0% of their three-point attempts (9th), while the Lakers' opponents are hitting 36.1% of their shots (19th).
Ball Protection
- The Nuggets are committing 13.0 turnovers per game this season, ranking 3rd in the league, while the Lakers are forcing 14.6 turnovers (15th).
- Flipping that script, Denver is forcing 12.1 turnovers (30th), while the Lakers are committing 14.8 (18th).
Crashing the Boards
- Denver is pulling down 43.3 rebounds per game this season (T18th in the league), including 9.7 offensive boards (26th). Conversely, the Lakers' opponents are averaging 41.0 rebounds (3rd), 10.8 of which have come on the offensive end (6th).
- Meanwhile, the Lakers are averaging only 41.0 rebounds (29th) and 9.5 offensive rebounds (27th), while the Nuggets are allowing an impressive 42.7 and 11.4, ranking 8th and 15th.
First Quarter Winner
Denver is -142 to win the first quarter, while the Lakers are +120. Here are their first quarter records in 2025/26.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | Last 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 38-22-2 | 19-9-0 | 19-13-2 | 27-14-1 | 11-8-1 | 6-4-0 |
| LA Lakers | 27-31-3 | 12-16-2 | 15-15-1 | 22-14-3 | 5-17-0 | 6-3-1 |
First Half Winner
Denver is -162 to win the first half and the Lakers are +136. Here are their first half records in 2025/26.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 35-24-3 | 19-9-0 | 16-15-3 | 26-15-1 | 9-9-2 | 5-5-0 |
| LA Lakers | 26-32-3 | 14-16-0 | 12-16-3 | 20-18-1 | 6-14-2 | 6-3-1 |
HT/FT
Denver is -115 to complete the HT/FT double. Conversely, the Lakers are +200.
- The Nuggets have completed the HT/FT double in 40.3% of games this season, while the Lakers have completed the HT/FT double in 39.3% of games.
To Go To Overtime
Thursday's matchup is +1600 to go to overtime.
- The Lakers have not played in a game that went to overtime this season. Comparatively, the Nuggets have appeared in six such contests.
Both Teams 110+
- Both teams have scored 110+ points in 38 of Denver's 62 games this season. Meanwhile, 29 of the Lakers' 61 games have seen both squads reach that number.
Last Time They Met
The Lakers recorded a 115-107 victory over Denver at Ball Arena when these teams last met on January 20. Luka Doncic was everywhere on that day, finishing with a 38-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double.
NBA Injury News – Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets (March 5, 2026)
The Lakers have listed Kleber as Questionable for Thursday's (Mar. 5) game against the Nuggets.
Watson is expected to miss at least four weeks with his Grade 2 right hamstring strain, according to Michael Scotto of USA Today.
The Nuggets said that Gordon is targeting a return to Friday's (Mar. 6) game versus the Knicks, per Sam Amick of The Athletic.
The Nuggets have listed Johnson as Questionable for Thursday's (Mar. 5) game against the Lakers.
The Nuggets have listed Jones as Out for Thursday's (Mar. 5) game against the Lakers.
