NBA · Final

Nuggets Edge Lakers in Close Contest at Ball Arena

113

120

Thursday, March 5, 2026, 10:00 PM ET · Ball Arena

Denver Nuggets 120, Los Angeles Lakers 113, final. Our NBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets?

Denver Nuggets beat Los Angeles Lakers 120-113 at Ball Arena on March 5, 2026.

Who was favored in Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets?

Denver Nuggets were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -170 (about 63% implied). The favorite won.

In a tightly contested matchup at Ball Arena, the Denver Nuggets triumphed over the Los Angeles Lakers with a final score of 120-113. This victory allowed the Nuggets to take a 2-1 lead in their season series against the Lakers, which is now tied at one win apiece in the current series. The game showcased the competitive nature of both teams, with the Nuggets improving their home record to 40-24, while the Lakers fell to 37-26 on the road.

The Nuggets entered the game with a home record of 39-24 and had recently been fluctuating in form, holding a 5-5 record over their last ten games. They had averaged 122.3 points scored and allowed 115.4 points during this stretch. Their most recent game prior to facing the Lakers was a win against the Utah Jazz, where they secured a close 128-125 victory. However, they had also experienced a mix of results, including losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder.

On the other side, the Lakers had also been inconsistent, sporting a 37-25 away record. They matched the Nuggets with a 5-5 record in their last ten games, averaging 114.2 points scored and 112.1 points allowed. The Lakers came into this game riding a three-game winning streak, having recently defeated the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings, and they were looking to extend that streak against the Nuggets.

In terms of injuries, the Nuggets had two players listed as day-to-day: Aaron Gordon, who is dealing with a calf issue, and Trevon Brazile with an undisclosed injury. The Lakers, however, did not report any significant injuries affecting their roster for this matchup.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, favored the Nuggets with a spread of -3.5 and a total set at 240.5 points. The moneyline for the Nuggets was -170, while the Lakers were at +142, indicating a competitive matchup according to the odds.

The game was marked by intense moments, particularly in the fourth quarter. As the final period unfolded, the Nuggets managed to maintain a slim lead. Key plays included Nikola Jokic making several crucial shots, including a pair of free throws and a 5-foot two-point shot that helped the Nuggets extend their lead to 120-113. The Lakers attempted to close the gap, with Austin Reaves contributing a free throw and Jake LaRavia making a layup, but it was not enough to overcome the Nuggets' advantage.

Overall, the matchup highlighted the competitive spirit of both teams, with the Nuggets showcasing their home-court advantage and the Lakers demonstrating resilience despite the loss. The contest was a testament to the tight race in the Western Conference, with both teams vying for playoff positioning as the season progresses.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	DEN -3.5	240.5 o -108 / u -112	Los Angeles Lakers +142 · Denver Nuggets -170

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Injury report

Aaron GordonDay-To-DayCalfDenver Nuggets
Trevon BrazileDay-To-DayUndisclosedDenver Nuggets

Leaders

PointsNikola Jokic28Denver Nuggets
AssistsNikola Jokic13Denver Nuggets
ReboundsNikola Jokic12Denver Nuggets
PointsLuka Doncic27Los Angeles Lakers
AssistsLeBron James8Los Angeles Lakers
ReboundsLuka Doncic11Los Angeles Lakers

Recent form

Denver Nuggets

Last 10: 5-5Streak W1122.3 scored · 115.4 allowed per game2-2 at home

W128-125at Utah JazzMar 3
L108-117vs Minnesota TimberwolvesMar 1
L121-127at Oklahoma City ThunderFeb 28
W103-84vs Boston CelticsFeb 26
L117-128at Golden State WarriorsFeb 22
W157-103at Portland Trail BlazersFeb 21
L114-115at LA ClippersFeb 20
W122-116vs Memphis GrizzliesFeb 12
L117-119vs Cleveland CavaliersFeb 10
W136-120at Chicago BullsFeb 8

Los Angeles Lakers

Last 10: 5-5Streak W3114.2 scored · 112.1 allowed per game1-1 away

W110-101vs New Orleans PelicansMar 4
W128-104vs Sacramento KingsMar 2
W129-101at Golden State WarriorsMar 1
L110-113at Phoenix SunsFeb 27
L109-110vs Orlando MagicFeb 25
L89-111vs Boston CelticsFeb 22
W125-122vs LA ClippersFeb 21
W124-104vs Dallas MavericksFeb 13
L108-136vs San Antonio SpursFeb 11
L110-119vs Oklahoma City ThunderFeb 10

Standings

Team	Games behind	Lost	Streak	Win %	Won
LA Lakers	-	29	W3	.646	53
Phoenix	8	37	W1	.549	45
LA Clippers	11	40	W1	.512	42
Golden State	16	45	L3	.451	37
Sacramento	31	60	L1	.268	22
Oklahoma City	-	18	L2	.780	64
Denver	10	28	W12	.659	54
Minnesota	15	33	W2	.598	49
Portland	22	40	W2	.512	42
Utah	42	60	L1	.268	22

Box score

Stat	Los Angeles Lakers	Denver Nuggets
Field goals	45-87	39-75
Field goal %	52	52
Three-pointers	13-31	14-31
Three-point %	42	45
Free throws	10-15	28-31
Free throw %	67	90
Rebounds	32	41
Offensive rebounds	6	7
Defensive rebounds	26	34
Assists	30	27
Steals	12	3
Blocks	1	1
Turnovers	10	18
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	2	0
Technical fouls, total	2	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	11	26
Fast-break points	22	11
Points in the paint	54	42
Fouls	21	16
Largest lead	0	15
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	0	99

How the scoring went

3rd Quarter78-86Christian Braun makes driving layup (Nikola Jokic assists)
3rd Quarter78-89Bruce Brown makes 23-foot three point jumper (Nikola Jokic assists)
3rd Quarter80-89Luka Doncic makes 8-foot driving floating jump shot
3rd Quarter80-90Tim Hardaway Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter80-91Tim Hardaway Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
3rd Quarter83-91Luka Doncic makes 30-foot three point jumper (Jake LaRavia assists)
3rd Quarter83-92Nikola Jokic makes free throw 1 of 2
3rd Quarter83-93Nikola Jokic makes free throw 2 of 2
3rd Quarter86-93Luka Doncic makes 26-foot three point shot (Austin Reaves assists)
4th Quarter86-96Tim Hardaway Jr. makes 26-foot three point jumper (Jamal Murray assists)
4th Quarter86-97Tim Hardaway Jr. makes free throw 1 of 3
4th Quarter86-98Tim Hardaway Jr. makes free throw 2 of 3
4th Quarter88-98Austin Reaves makes two point shot
4th Quarter88-100Zeke Nnaji makes two point shot
4th Quarter88-101Jonas Valanciunas makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter88-102Jonas Valanciunas makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter91-102Rui Hachimura makes 24-foot three point jumper (LeBron James assists)
4th Quarter93-102Jaxson Hayes makes 5-foot layup (LeBron James assists)
4th Quarter95-102Jaxson Hayes makes 2-foot dunk (LeBron James assists)
4th Quarter97-102LeBron James makes running layup (Rui Hachimura assists)
4th Quarter99-102Rui Hachimura makes running layup (LeBron James assists)
4th Quarter99-104Nikola Jokic makes 12-foot two point shot (Jamal Murray assists)
4th Quarter101-104Jaxson Hayes makes alley oop layup (Luka Doncic assists)
4th Quarter101-107Julian Strawther makes 22-foot three point jumper (Nikola Jokic assists)
4th Quarter101-108Christian Braun makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter104-108Marcus Smart makes 27-foot three point jumper (Luka Doncic assists)
4th Quarter104-110Julian Strawther makes 6-foot driving floating jump shot
4th Quarter106-110LeBron James makes driving layup (Austin Reaves assists)
4th Quarter106-111Julian Strawther makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter106-112Julian Strawther makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter108-112Jaxson Hayes makes alley oop layup (Luka Doncic assists)
4th Quarter110-112Rui Hachimura makes 18-foot pullup jump shot (Austin Reaves assists)
4th Quarter111-112Austin Reaves makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter111-114Nikola Jokic makes 5-foot two point shot
4th Quarter111-116Nikola Jokic makes 8-foot two point shot
4th Quarter111-117Jamal Murray makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter111-118Jamal Murray makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter113-118Jake LaRavia makes layup
4th Quarter113-119Nikola Jokic makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter113-120Nikola Jokic makes free throw 2 of 2