MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 1 (Ticker) -- The Los Angeles Lakers have been accused of coasting lately. Against the Memphis Grizzlies, they could afford to.

Shaquille O'Neal and Rick Fox powered a fourth-quarter surge as the Lakers turned up the intensity and sped to a 100-85 victory over the slumping Grizzlies.

Much as they did in Wednesday's win at Orlando, the Lakers hung around for three quarters before outclassing the Grizzlies with a 28-6 run in the final period.

The two-time defending NBA champions have drawn some criticism for believing they can turn it on and off whenever they like against lesser competition.

NBA.comTV highlights from Lakers-Grizzlies: 56k | 300k Shaquille O'Neal takes a jumper over Tony Massenburg in Memphis. Joe Murphy NBAE/Getty Images

"I think we think we are better," Fox said. "I don't think that is arrogant. Teams come out and play us hard because we are the defending champions. We are not deciding before the game to not play hard in the first three quarters. I think we know we that we need to be more consistent and focused."

O'Neal, who clearly is slowed somewhat by an arthritic toe, had eight of his 26 points during the burst. The 7-2 superstar made 12-of-18 shots and pulled down 10 rebounds.

"We turned it on late again tonight," O'Neal said. "We stepped up and play like were supposed to do in the fourth quarter. Everybody came out and played in the second half. We are playing well and I think we will be fine. My feet are hurting and I am looking forward to the break."

Fox scored all 10 of his points during the run, which lasted almost nine minutes.

Derek Fisher scored 21 points and Kobe Bryant added a quiet 13 for the Lakers, who improved to 3-1 on their five-game road trip.

"We saved the best for last again," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We started at the end of the third quarter, when Derek Fisher came in and got us going. You have to give the Grizzlies credit, they played good basketball. We came out slow in the first and second quarter. We just had to get are defense going. We were mired in a ballgame."

Bryant looked nothing like the unstoppable force that scored 56 points in a 120-81 home win over Memphis on January 14. He was 5-of-13 from the field.

"I just think we are finding our rhythm late in the games," said Bryant. "Things are on the right track now, but I like that because (we) have room for improvement. I think it is a positive thing right now. The good thing about it is that we are making adjustments and winning the games."

Rookie Pau Gasol and Brevin Knight scored 13 points apiece for the Grizzlies, who have lost nine of their last 10 games.

"It was a tough game for us," Memphis coach Sidney Lowe said. "We played well for the first two quarters and 10 minutes, but we let them back in the game at the end of the third quarter. That gave them the momentum."

A layup by Stromile Swift gave the Grizzlies a 69-60 lead with 1:15 left in the third period. But Bryant made a layup and Fisher hit two 3-pointers to close the quarter.

"Fish is a soldier and a fighter," Bryant said. "He is always fighting through things and now he is really finding his rhythm. He is really playing some good basketball."

In the first nine minutes of the final period, O'Neal had two dunks and a pair of inside hoops and Fox and Robert Horry buried two 3-pointers apiece. A 12-foot jumper by Fox opened a 96-75 lead with 3:07 to play.

"I brought in Fisher and Horry because I did not want what happened in the first half to happen in the second half," said Jackson, who became the fastest coach in history to 700 wins.

Samaki Walker had nine points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who shot 55 percent (41-of-75) but attempted just nine free throws, making seven.

Swift and Grant Long scored 10 points each and Knight handed out 10 assists for the Grizzlies, who shot 51 percent (37-of-73) and were beaten on the boards, 37-30.

"A team like the Lakers, you have to hope that someone is having an off night because they make a lot of outside shots," Lowe said. "When they are on, they are virtually unstoppable."

O'Neal scored 12 points in the first half, but the Lakers went to the break trailing, 44-43.