There was no debating Grizzlies center Lorenzen Wright's game-ending block was clean and solid.
The Jason Williams-Pau Gasol alley-oop connection that gave the Grizzlies the lead for good was unquestionably potent.

When the Grizzlies are relatively healthy, they seem to own the Utah Jazz.

What followed the Grizzlies' thrilling 79-78 victory against the Jazz Monday night is one simple question: Why?

"That's a good question," Griz rookie Shane Battier said after an announced crowd of 11,838 in The Pyramid watched the Griz win for the third time in four meetings with the Jazz this season. "I guess every team has certain teams that they always play tough. The Jazz is just our team."

Actually, their prowess is explainable in a word: defense.

Take away Utah's 114-70 win Feb. 28 when the Grizzlies missed two starters. The excellence-of-execution Jazz has averaged 35-percent shooting and 18 turnovers in the three Grizzly wins.

"Our defense was outstanding," Griz coach Sidney Lowe said after watching his team force the Jazz to shoot 37 percent and turn the ball over 18 times on Monday.

The Griz also benefited from six blocks, none more important than Wright's at the final buzzer.

Wright snuffed out John Stockton's potential game-winner after Utah received the ball down one with 4.3 seconds left in the game.

"I kept my arms up trying not to foul," Wright said. "He tried to step under me and got in my wingspan. Fortunately, I got the block. If he was going to win it, he was going to have to go over me."

Judging by Utah coach Jerry Sloan's postgame comments, his team withers like grocery store roses when it comes across the Grizzlies.