Top 10 Playoff Truths: Expect suspension for Spurs' Horry

1. Robert Horry will get suspended for throwing an elbow. League disciplinarian Stu Jackson, who has yet to drop the hammer on anyone despite numerous opportunities, has no choice here. Horry dropped an elbow, and Steve Nash was leveled. There's no way for there to be any alternative to what's coming. The Spurs will have to make do without Horry. Even Nash, who backed up Bruce Bowen's physical play in Game 4, felt Horry's actions were uncalled for. Horry was frustrated, and handled it wrong.

All the explaining in the world won't prevent Robert Horry from drawing a suspension. (Getty Images)

2. Told you that nothing would happen to Baron Davis or Jason Richardson. Neither crossed the line when they had the opportunity to. Both lost their tempers, but they did play with passion. Neither is going to be dealt a suspension. As maturing leaders, they're just too valuable to the cause.

3. Tim Duncan is the best player remaining in this postseason, and he should've taken more than 14 shots. For most, 21 points and 11 boards should be good enough. For Duncan, the way he's grooving, it's not. He better be more assertive the rest of the way. He's too good to be passive.

4. With Jason Kidd and Vince Carter locked in, it's worth mentioning that LeBron James did them in. He had help, though. Supposed tag-team partner Larry Hughes did his part again this postseason, staying assertive by taking 19 shots. That was three more than James even took. He may not be efficient, but he's out there trying to do his part. That may be all that's necessary.

5. It's relatively impossible to win in San Antonio, but Nash did what he needed to, making the right decisions down the stretch to get the Suns a game they badly needed. Phoenix now has its home-court edge back, while San Antonio must wallow over a contest that got away in the final quarter. No matter how you slice it, the Spurs blew that game, and that's something that just doesn't happen at home.

6. Zydrunas Ilgauskas came up with his second double-double of these playoffs, playing with the type of activity that was prevalent against Washington but missing against Jersey. Ilgauskas showed up again, and needs to continue doing so if the Cavs are going to advance past Detroit in a likely conference finals.

7. Raja Bell, who picked up a technical foul in the Nash debacle, did the right thing. He won't get suspended. He played his role as Phoenix's enforcer. He's the Suns' Bowen without all the fanfare, despite what anyone writes or says. It would have been wrong for him not to respond, and he never disappointed, getting right in the middle of the controversy.

8. Carter hit six of 23 shots against the Cavaliers. Kidd went 2-for-13, and Richard Jefferson was 3-for-12. I know Mikki Moore went 11-for-14, but if you expect him to pull you through, you've erred beyond repentance. I believe New Jersey has hit its feeling.

9. Amare Stoudemire, despite foul trouble, did nothing to shame his designation as an NBA All-First Teamer. He played just 31 minutes, but made his impact with 26 points and nine rebounds, embracing his role as Phoenix's go-to guy by being aggressive and finishing with the most shot attempts on his team. He's embracing being the guy, which is a great sign. He no longer thinks about his injury, and is back to embracing Nash as his benefactor.

10. As bad as the Nets bench is, with Bostjan Nachbar the only potential key contributor, it's a marvel the Nets are even in this series. Cleveland is bigger, stronger and more athletic, taking care of its business on the defensive end.