"Typical Milwaukee Bucks basketball game," Bucks coach George Karl said. "Get a lead. Play good. Blow it. Come back and win it. That's who we are. Hopefully it will change by the end of the year, but right now that's who we are. In fact, it's a lot better than what we were about two weeks ago."

Two weeks ago, the Bucks were in the throes of a five-game losing streak. Now, at 14-7, they have won three in a row and five of their last six, with consecutive triple-digit outputs for the first time since Nov. 14 and 17. These are signs that the Bucks are beginning to find their identity, so beating the Grizzlies was absolutely essential in the first game of a grueling four-game Western Conference trip.

But their sixth road victory of the season was not assured until the fourth quarter, when the Bucks compensated for a 16-point third period that was characterized by six turnovers and 35% shooting.