Two of the Nuggets’ greatest illogical fantasies collided for a terrifying period.

Second quarter and the state of Utah.

In a shaky showing, the outcome was all that counted Tuesday night, as Denver defeated both worries with a 111-95 victory over the Utah Jazz’s end-of-season dregs. It was Michael Malone and Nikola Jokic’s second win at Delta Center in their respective Nuggets careers, breaking a six-game losing streak in Salt Lake City.

The Nuggets (55-24) are tied for first place in the Western Conference with three games remaining for both teams, the most significant of which being Wednesday’s game in Denver against the Timberwolves, which will break the tie. If the Nuggets lose, they will finish as the No. 3 seed unless they receive assistance from Oklahoma City.

To make it to that championship game unscathed, Jamal Murray had to completely shake off the rust from the seven games he had previously missed. He had four steals and three blocks on defense, shooting 11 for 20 and scoring a game-high 28 points. These included a career-high five dunks, all by halftime. A ferocious reverse slam stood out as an indication of his fitness as Denver was leading by 19 points in the first quarter.

Only for the dreadful second to do its typical reversal of fortune. The Nuggets began this game with the NBA’s 21st second-quarter net rating (minus-3.5) and 29th second-quarter defensive rating (119). After tripling Utah’s 17 points in the opening frame Tuesday, they gave up 36 in the second. That set the tone for the rest of the game, as Utah battled to remain inside single digits.

Late in the third quarter, a 3-pointer from Talen Horton-Tucker cut Denver’s lead in half. It remained a one-score game for barely a few seconds when Reggie Jackson responded with the only three of his 1-for-6 night, sparking a beneficial 7-0 surge.

Horton-Tucker was a physical force for the Jazz, scoring 24 points to keep the game interesting while Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, John Collins, Walker Kessler, Kris Dunn, and Jordan Clarkson sat out.

The Nuggets, however, were missing only Aaron Gordon as they resumed their quest for the top spot. Aside from gaining home-court advantage, the most important aim they can do this week is to reacclimate Murray before the playoffs. As he warmed up, Malone went out to the court to check on him and observe the pregame routine from the bench for many minutes, dribbling a ball between his knees. Murray is still limited in minutes — Malone declined to provide the number — but he looked as fresh as he had all game in the fourth quarter, when Denver needed him the most.

Leading 95-88, Murray hit three straight three-pointers in as many possessions to spark a 9-2 run and eventually let his team see the light outside Utah’s house of horrors. He clocked 27 minutes.

Jokic finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in a subpar showing by his standards. Christian Braun led the Nuggets early with 11 points on three three-pointers.