(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers were perfect late in the third quarter and for most of the fourth quarter in Game 1.
They had the Boston Celtics against the ropes, TD Garden completely stunned, and the biggest chance to leave with a huge upset win.
Then, a string of bad mistakes left the door open for the home side to get right back and beat them.
With that in mind, former NFL star Keyshawn Johnson ripped the team for choking the game away.
In the latest edition of “Undisputed,” the former wide receiver pointed out the final sequence of regulation and how the Pacers did everything they could to lose that game.
“The Pacers completely blew it.”@keyshawn on Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals pic.twitter.com/01DTNVwJgK
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) May 22, 2024
He first criticized Tyrese Haliburton for his erratic turnover.
Then, he called out Rick Carlisle for having Andrew Nembhard instead of T.J. McConnell inbounding the ball.
He said that Nembhard, as a player, also should’ve known when to call a timeout instead of forcing a pass to Pascal Siakam, which eventually gave the ball back to the Celtics.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the Pacers didn’t get McConnell out of the game or switch on defense in that final possession, which led to Jaylen Brown knocking down a game-tying three-pointer.
There were so many instances in which the Pacers could’ve made a decision to win the game, and they didn’t.
Haliburton didn’t need to push the pace, Rick Carlisle had to call a timeout or have McConnell inbound, and they should’ve switched on defense or fouled up three.
It’s always easier to look back and say all those things.
But, in hindsight, those were all mistakes and obvious decisions.
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