For all the things that clicked for the Hornets in Tuesday's victory at San Antonio -- and there were quite a few -- none got coach Paul Silas as excited as the continued emergence of George Lynch.

Lynch was one of the keys to yet another major effort from the Charlotte bench, helping solidify the defense that limited the Spurs to a season low in points, field goals made and assists. It was another sign he is quickly getting back on his game after foot surgery kept him out of the season's first 36 games.

"George went into the game talking," Silas said in reference to the help-a-teammate chatter that keeps the defenders alert and effective. "He and Stacey Augmon really ignited that, along with David Wesley, and then all the guys started talking."

Lynch, a 6-foot-8 forward in his ninth NBA season, came to Charlotte in October in a trade with Philadelphia. He is known for his defense and knack for doing the little things that help a team win, much as P.J. Brown does. He has played in seven games since coming off the injured list, and his 24-minute stint at San Antonio was his longest of the season.

He scored two points on 1-of-5 shooting but had nine rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot.

Overall the Charlotte bench hammered the Spurs reserves, dominating them 34-10 in points and 23-9 in rebounds.

Other contributions from the bench: Bryce Drew, 15 points, five rebounds; Jamaal Magloire, nine points, four rebounds, two blocks; Augmon, eight points, five rebounds and a steal. The statistics for their extended stays on the court, averaging 20.5 minutes apiece, didn't reflect the defense, but it was there.

"That was the reason we won," Silas said. "We played very aggressive, especially in the second half."

The Spurs got 29 points and 21 rebounds from former Wake Forest star Tim Duncan, though only nine points in the second half. They shot 34.2 percent overall and scored 73, 25.2 below average. The Spurs' three-point shooting, fifth best in the league at 38.2 percent, dipped to 19.0 percent (4-of-21).

Notes

? The bomb threat at the Alamodome after the game was the second the Hornets have experienced this season. They had another at Philips Arena in Atlanta.

San Antonio police cleared the arena, leaving some Spurs players in the parking lot wearing their uniforms. An hour's search turned up nothing.

? The Hornets flew to Houston late Tuesday, then practiced Wednesday at the Compaq Center, where they'll face the Rockets on Friday night.

Baron Davis, slowed by a stomach virus in the Spurs game, participated in the workout.

"He's better but still not all the way back," Silas said.

? Magloire will do a live Internet chat on hornets.com at 4 p.m. today.