All the wins count the same, even the ugly ones.

Here are five takeaways from Denver’s 128-125 win over the Jazz at Delta Center in Salt Lake City:

1. The Nuggets shouldn’t have needed that kind of effort from Jamal Murray, but they did. Murray scored 45 points, and Denver needed all of them, including his final two free throws that gave the Nuggets a one-point lead with 32 seconds to play. Murray went 13 of 19 from the field and hit 8 of 13 attempts from 3-point range. The rest of the Nuggets went 8 for 26 from deep (30.8%). Turnovers were a blight on his box score. He finished with seven turnovers and eight assists, but the Nuggets suffer one of their most embarrassing losses of the season if not for Murray’s scoring efficiency.

2. Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets need to find a counter when opposing teams put a smaller defender on Denver’s superstar. Utah copied a strategy Oklahoma City has made popular by having smaller guys play uber physical. It’s effectively frustrated the three-time Most Valuable Player. Jokic finished with 22 points on 11 shots, with 10 of his points coming on 11 free throws. The frustration appeared to carry over to the defensive end, where the Nuggets needed a successful challenge in the final minutes to prevent Jokic from fouling out. It’s a safe bet the Nuggets see more of that kind of defense throughout the rest of the regular season and playoffs.

3. David Adelman lived up to his word. After Sunday’s loss to Minnesota, the Nuggets coach said he would explore his options with the second unit. Jamal Murray staggered with the second unit against the Jazz, which allowed the Nuggets to have Jokic or Murray on the court at all times. Jokic headed to the bench with a few minutes left in the third quarter after picking up his fourth foul and started the fourth, while Murray rested.

4. Starting a double-big lineup made sense since the Jazz had roughly 35 feet of big men sidelined with injuries between Jaren Jackson Jr., Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, Kevin Love and Jusuf Nurkic, but Denver didn’t exactly punish the Jazz inside to start the game. Denver started the second half the same way. The Nuggets finished with a 47-38 rebounding advantage and doubled up Utah, 14-7, in second-chance points. The Jazz did outscore the Nuggets 50-44 in points in the paint.

5. The signing of Tyus Jones doesn’t drastically make Denver’s championship dreams more realistic, but it is better than nothing. The buyout market wasn’t stocked with versatile bigs that would most benefit the Nuggets. Chris Boucher was probably the best on-court fit for what Denver needs, but his fit in the locker room is more uncertain. Jones gives the Nuggets more depth and experience behind Jamal Murray. There’s no guarantee Jones edges out Bruce Brown or Jalen Pickett for meaningful playing time, but another option is better than doing nothing.

NUGGETS 128, JAZZ 125

What happened: Utah led by one after the first quarter and maintained a 67-66 lead at halftime. Denver took a seven-point advantage to the fourth quarter and held on to improve to 38-24.

What went right: Denver went 32 of 35 at the free throw line, outscoring the Jazz by 10 from the line.

What went wrong: The Jazz turned Denver’s 15 turnovers into 28 points. The Nuggets managed just eight points off nine Utah turnovers.

Highlight of the night: Christian Braun threw an alley-oop to Tim Hardaway Jr. in the middle of the first quarter.

Up next: The Nuggets have a couple of nights off before Thursday’s game against the Lakers at Ball Arena.