Salt Lake City has been the site of many Nuggets’ struggles in recent years, but that wasn’t the case Wednesday.

Here are three takeaways from Denver’s 122-103 win at Delta Center:

1. It was as if Jamal Murray saw the people calling for Russell Westbrook to replace him in the starting lineup throughout the first quarter. Murray was a big part of the Nuggets’ lifeless start before Westbrook checked in and infused some energy. The Nuggets trailed 26-14, their biggest deficit of the game, when Westbrook entered. He assisted Nikola Jokic four times and recorded a steal in his first three minutes on the court. Then, he hit a couple of jumpers to bring the Nuggets within a point late in the first. That seemed to get Murray’s attention. After missing his first five shots, Denver’s starting point guard made 10 of his final 13 shots to finish with 22 points, eight assists, four rebounds and four steals in 36 minutes of playing time.

2. Christian Braun continued his case to be considered for Most Improved Player in Utah. He stretched his streak of scoring in double figures to 17 games to start the season by making 6 of his 8 shots, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range. He added a perfect 4-for-4 mark from the line to finish with 18 points. He added seven rebounds, three assists and a block in 41 minutes of playing time. Through 17 games, Braun is yet to shoot less than 40% from the field in a game. He’s not only picking his spots well, but he’s hitting his shots and a clip that’s significantly exceeding expectations.

3. Denver’s slow start was especially concerning given the circumstances. One would think after Monday’s no-show against the Knicks, the Nuggets would come out focused and energetic against a shorthanded Jazz squad. The opposite appeared to be true. It was even more concerning given that Utah played Tuesday night. Some of the issues could be chalked up to a hot start from a Jazz squad with something to prove, but it looked way too easy for Utah to build its early lead given the circumstances. Jokic, who finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, needed to score 19 of his points in the first quarter to keep the Nuggets afloat.

NUGGETS 122, JAZZ 103

What happened: The Nuggets trailed by one after the first quarter, but Denver held the Jazz to 18 points at the second and led 63-53 at halftime. Another dominant quarter put the Nuggets up 24 to start the fourth, and Denver cruised the rest of the way to its 10th win.

What went right: After scoring the final six points of the first half, the Nuggets started the third quarter on a 7-0 run. That extended Denver’s lead from four to 17. The lead wasn’t threatened from that point forward.

What went wrong: Denver’s starters wouldn’t have needed to come in for a late stretch if they did a better job on the glass. Utah used 21 offensive rebounds to generate 20 second-chance points.

Highlight of the night: Nikola Jokic showed just how unselfish he can be late in the first half. Jokic cherrypicked after missing a layup, but Peyton Watson came up with a steal on the other end and threw a long outlet to Jokic, who had an unobstructed path to the basket. Instead, Jokic found the trailing Michael Porter Jr. who threw down an emphatic slam over a Jazz defender.

Up next: It’s back to Denver for Thanksgiving before the Nuggets return to the road for Sunday night’s game at the Clippers.