Utah Jazz make big changes in an even bigger win over the Grizzlies

More impressive is that the Jazz did this against a 44-21 Memphis team that had won 14 of its last 16 games.

"We knew they played four games in five nights. We also knew they were going to be very physical," Jefferson said of the Grizzlies, who lost 87-80 in Denver on Friday night while the Jazz rested. "We were going to have to match their energy tonight or we were going to get embarrassed."

They certainly wanted a change from that, having been blown out in New York and Oklahoma City in the previous eight days and looking like a lottery-bound team.

Another positive change for this franchise and its frustrated fans?

The Jazz, who recently lost three tough road games in which they held fourth-quarter leads, clutched up when it counted most on this night.

Before Hayward's late 3-pointer, the Jazz made a strategic move by Corbin pay off.

Midway through the fourth quarter — after Memphis trimmed a 12-point lead down to two — the Jazz coach pulled an old trick out of his sleeve.

This change: the Big Three lineup of Jefferson, Paul Millsap and Derrick Favors.

Outcome: Hugely positive.

The three scored in consecutive possessions to help the Jazz re-establish a six-point lead, which quickly grew to 11 after a Hayward 3-pointer with just under three minutes remaining.

Bayless then put a scare into Utah by going berserk during a personal 8-0 run, but the Jazz got it together just in time to put the Grizzlies away.

"Any time we get a chance to play with the big lineup, I love it," Jefferson said.

Same goes for any time the Jazz don't melt when the pressure cooker gets turned up.

"It was good just to get stops with our defense and take over the game," Jefferson said. "And that's what we did, we got stops. That's what you've got to do to close games off."

NOTES: Jefferson finished with 14 points, while fellow starters Millsap and Mo Williams each added 13. … Memphis center Marc Gasol scored 19 points, and he had one of the strangest fouls anyone had seen. In the fourth quarter, he lost his shoe, picked it up and continued down the court. Upset, Gasol then slapped Favors with the shoe to pick up a personal foul. (Insert joke here.) … The Jazz used their 15th starting lineup of the season.

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