After missing 2 of 3 shots and committing two turnovers in the first period, Spurs guard Stephen Jackson badly needed to hear a few words of encouragement from a good friend.

Sensing this, reserve guard Steve Smith pulled him aside during a break in the second quarter and told him in no uncertain terms that it was neither the time nor the place for Jackson to get down on himself.

"He's my prot?g?, my guy, and I have to keep him going," Smith said of Jackson. "So, I just told him what we always talk about. I told him to stay focused, because we are going to need him to hit some big shots at the end."

Boosted by his chat with Smith, Jackson fired away in the fourth period from 3-point territory, canning 3 of 4 long-range shots as the Spurs outscored the Nets' 31-14 for an 88-77 victory.

"Steve gave me good advice," said Jackson, who was yanked off the court by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich three minutes into the game. "Steve told me, 'Don't be discouraged because you're going to be shooting big shots for us at the end.' He gave me great advice."