I'm thinking he'll never go away. Robert Horry, the leading three point scorer in NBA Finals history, rose to the occasion again. He single handedly shot down the home team Detroit Pistons in game 5 of the NBA Finals. Robert Horry had been silent since he joined the Spurs last year as a free agent. Oh! Maybe he has been waiting for this, the NBA Finals, his true homecourt. The Spurs were having trouble producing stops at the defensive end. The Spurs could not score amid the comeback momentum from the Pistons only to be rescued by Horry's signature shots from beyond the arc. It's not easy to steal a win in Detroit. I don't believe the Spurs would have thought to escape Detroit with a thriller win won exclusively by the silent Bob. The Pistons would rather got beaten by Parker or Ginobili's drives or Tim Duncan's off-the-board 15-footers. This sudden performance by Horry is much like the 0.4 second shot by Derek Fisher of the then Lakers last year when the Lakers beat the Spurs. It was a demoralizing shot that sank the Spurs from a 2-0 lead to lose four straight. I believe this is a destiny the Pistons will face... It's unlikely that there will be a game 7 in this series. But the series has been close thus far (although there were two blowouts, the series as a whole was tight). It's unfortunate for the Pistons (and specially for Chauncey Billups) to have played this well and still lose in overtime. The homecourt "energy" and "effort" could only carry them for two games. I can't say that explain the loss by reasons of lack of "energy" and "effort" or "momentum" after tying the series up 2-2. They played a great game where everybody (including Rasheed) contributed. When there was about three minutes left in the ball game I thought my prediction streak (of all four Finals game winners correctly predicted) will finally end. Anyway, no one could have seen this coming. Can't even blame Rasheed for leaving Horry open. He was playing at his best. He didn't even pick up a technical foul... For the first time ever, props to the game 5 officiating crew. They almost got every call right. He set the tone early but didn't force any calls throughout the game just to set the tone. They got most of the low-post pushing and blocking physical contact calls right impressively... As much as I want a game 7, I have to accept the fact that the Spurs won't lose at home, having only lost three games all season. Maybe I can bring up the question whether I can use the word "dynasty" to describe the Spurs. They won twice in two years and three times in seven years. Their championships are not in any streaks. They might need one more run next year to earn this, just like the Patriots.

6.20.05 photo: AP/Jeff Roberson