INQUIRER Sports

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The reigning National Basketball Association champion San Antonio Spurs battled back into their playoff semi-final series Sunday with a 103-84 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Manu Ginobili returned to form with 30 points and Tim Duncan scored 20 points with 21 rebounds as the Spurs rebounded from two defeats in Los Angeles to narrow the gap to 2-1 in the best-of-seven Western Conference final series.

The winner of the series will advance to the NBA Finals.

Tony Parker scored 20 points as the Spurs avoided falling into an 0-3 hole and remained unbeaten at home in this postseason.

The Spurs will now have the opportunity to knot the series at 2-2 when they host game four on Tuesday.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant scored 30 points and Pau Gasol added 15 for the Lakers, who were held under 20 points in both the second and third quarters.