"Three in a row.

Whether they look forward or in their rear-view mirror, that's what the Utah Jazz can see right now.

Three in a row.

For the first time this season, they've lost three straight games. And, beginning Sunday night, they face a scheduling rarity brought about by last year's lengthy NBA lockout — back-to-back-to-back games.

Yes, three games in three nights in three different cities, beginning with tonight's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. That'll be followed by a game on Monday in New Orleans against the Hornets and then a third straight game on Tuesday at Oklahoma City against the Thunder, who shot down the Jazz 101-87 late Friday night at EnergySolutions Arena.

"We have to be smart about making sure we do everything to try and keep the guys as fresh as we can," Utah coach Tyrone Corbin said. "We're approaching each game with a plan to, first of all, have a chance to win the game but also preserve as much energy as we can for the following night and then to get to the third night, which is going to be the toughest one of all in Oklahoma City."

They always say that bad things come in threes and, both behind them and ahead of them, it's tough times these days for this Utah team."