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Ginobili, Spurs hope to even series

May 27, 2008 - 11:33 AM LA Lakers at San Antonio 9:00 pm EDT Western Conference finals Lakers lead, 2-1

SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) - After a pair of disheartening losses in Los Angeles, the San Antonio Spurs rebounded nicely in Game Three.

The Spurs hope to carry that momentum into Tuesday when they host the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference finals.

The defending champion Spurs blew a 20-point lead in Game One and were blown out, 101-71, in Game Two on Friday.

But San Antonio came alive on Sunday, handing Los Angeles its worst loss of these playoffs with a 103-84 triumph.

Manu Ginobili had scored just 17 points through the first two games but had 30 in Game Three to lead the Spurs attack.

"It's really not a surprise anymore," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Ginobili. "(He) is such a competitor. He puts so much on his shoulders, and he fights through a lot of things. He's got a lot of confidence in what he can do."

Tim Duncan added 22 points and 21 rebounds for the Spurs, who improved to 7-0 at home during the postseason.

Kobe Bryant scored 30 points in the loss and is averaging 31.7 during the playoffs, but the MVP will need more help in Game Four.

Forwards Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol combined to shoot just 31 percent (9-of-29) from the field, scoring 22 points. The duo is averaging 33.5 during the postseason.

"I think they weren't decisive enough on what they wanted to get done," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "They had their opportunities and missed some layups and things just didn't go well."

Despite the lack of help from his supporting cast, Bryant thinks the Lakers need to improve their defense to keep the Spurs from knotting up the series.

"If we can't get stops, it doesn't matter," Bryant said. "We had a point there where we cut it to 12 or nine, and we couldn't get stops. So, whether I go off for a 20-point quarter or 15-point quarter, we still have to get stops."