Memphis, Tenn. • The pregame messages rang out. Stick together. Stand strong. Don’t give in. And no matter what happens, don’t fall apart.

By the time the Jazz had fought off the Memphis Grizzlies 98-88 on Sunday at the FedExForum, Utah had another message: What did you expect?

Jazz-Grizzlies box score: bit.ly/AtZ2US

Every time the Jazz (14-12) have shown signs of cracking or falling down this season, Utah has risen up. And every time this year’s Jazz team has flirted with turning into the disappointment that was the 2010-11 version of Utah basketball, a proud and resilient squad has fired back, answering the call while refusing to splinter and divide.

The Jazz outhustled, outfought and outworked Memphis (14-14) on Sunday. In doing so, Utah captured one of its best — and easily its strongest and most meaningful — win of 2011-12.

"We needed this one," said forward Gordon Hayward, who scored a game-high 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting and clearly outplayed the Grizzlies’ Rudy Gay. "We were on that fringe of not being in the playoffs, so we really need every single game. Especially with a team that’s right there next to us."

Al Jefferson added 21 points and a game-high 15 rebounds for the Jazz, who ended a three-game losing streak and began a back-to-back-to-back series in the best way possible.

All three games are on the road and mark the first time since Utah’s 1998-99 campaign — also abbreviated due to a lockout — the team will play three in a row without rest.

Utah’s locker room buzzed after the victory, with players saying this is what can happen when the Jazz stick together, attack from the jump ball and never relent.

"Definitely proud of this team. We came out tonight with a chip on our shoulder," said forward Paul Millsap, who contributed 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting and eight boards.

Coach Tyrone Corbin began the Jazz’s road journey by bringing his unproven team together. He took Utah to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis on Saturday, wanting to show his team what sacrifice, commitment and togetherness were truly about.

It was a bold move. And it worked.