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Nuggets vs. Lakers prediction: Denver to win, Luka Doncic projected for 32 points in Saturday's NBA game [3/14/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Lakers predictions for NBA Saturday.
The Los Angeles Lakers will take on the Denver Nuggets in NBA action at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, beginning at 8:30 PM ET.
Based on updated simulations and today’s injury reports, Dimers' advanced NBA model projects the Nuggets as the most likely winner of the Nuggets vs. Lakers game.
This prediction follows the latest NBA Injury Report, which suggests the Lakers lineup will feature stars like Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and LeBron James, while the Nuggets will look to Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon.
Doncic is expected to shine with a projected 32 points and 4 threes.
This article offers an expanded analysis of Saturday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and player prop picks.
Nuggets vs. Lakers prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Saturday's NBA matchup between the Nuggets and Lakers 10,000 times as part of our NBA predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model gives the Nuggets a 57% chance of beating the Lakers. Our predicted final score has the Nuggets winning 122-120.
According to our model, the Nuggets (-1.5) have a 52% chance of covering the spread, while the 244.5-point over/under has a 55% chance of staying under.
Nuggets vs. Lakers odds
We have sourced the best NBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Nuggets | Lakers |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | -1.5 (-105) | +1.5 (-105) |
| Moneyline | -116 | +102 |
| Total | o244.5 (-115) | u244.5 (-105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Nuggets vs. Lakers picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Nuggets -1.5 | -105 |
| Moneyline | Nuggets | -116 |
| Total | Under 244.5 | -105 |
According to our best NBA bets for Saturday, the top play to make on this game is Under 244.5 total points.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Nuggets vs. Lakers player props
Looking for Nuggets vs. Lakers NBA prop bets? We use the best information available to project how each team's leading players will perform at Crypto.com Arena.
Nikola Jokic is expected to lead the Nuggets with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, while Luka Doncic is projected to have 32 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists for the Lakers.
Check out our NBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's NBA first basket picks.
Nuggets prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Nuggets are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic | 29 | 13 | 12 | 2 | 69 |
| Jamal Murray | 27 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 49 |
| Aaron Gordon | 15 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 29 |
| Tim Hardaway | 12 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 20 |
| Christian Braun | 12 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 26 |
Lakers prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Lakers:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luka Doncic | 32 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 63 |
| Austin Reaves | 23 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 42 |
| LeBron James | 22 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 46 |
| Deandre Ayton | 11 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 25 |
| Rui Hachimura | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 17 |
Nuggets vs. Lakers game-day updates and essential details
Saturday's game between the Lakers and Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena is scheduled to commence at 8:30 PM ET.
- Who: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
- Time: 8:30 PM ET/5:30PM PT
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena
Conclusion
We predict the Nuggets, with a 57% win probability, will likely beat the Lakers on Saturday, with Nikola Jokic projected for a game-high 69 fantasy points.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Nuggets vs. Lakers insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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