With his team down nine points at halftime, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich went with an intellectual, rather than emotional, appeal on Wednesday night.

“‘You have to participate in your recovery,”‘ recounted guard Brent Barry. “I think that stuck with us. When things aren’t going well, and you’re not playing well, you can’t sulk.”

Something in Popovich’s address must have clicked for the Spurs, because their second half against the Los Angeles Lakers looked a lot better than their first in a 103-91 win.

Tim Duncan had 28 points and 17 rebounds, and Ime Udoka scored a season-high 18 points in the Spurs’ second straight victory.

“Pop didn’t say much at halftime. He didn’t want to come in here screaming and yelling, but he did mention getting the ball into people’s hands,” Udoka said.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 29 points and 12 rebounds, and Ronny Turiaf scored 14 points. Sasha Vujacic and Lamar Odom added 11 points apiece.