Reggie Miller on Game 1 loss: 'If you're a Pacer fan, and certainly I'm one, this has to sting'

Reggie Miller fears the Indiana Pacers squandered their best opportunity against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals opener.

The Pacers legend and NBA analyst for TNT joined the "Dan Patrick Show" on Wednesday, one day after the Pacers lost 133-128 in overtime after leading in the closing seconds of regulation.

"If you're a Pacer fan, and certainly I'm one, this has to sting," Miller said. "This is a gut punch."

Miller knows what the current Indiana Pacers are going through.

Miller recalled how Indiana lost to the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the 1999 Eastern Conference finals on Larry Johnson's 4-point play. New York went up 2-1 with that win and, though Indiana won Game 4, Miller said the previous loss lingered.

The Knicks won that series in six games.

"That taste. It still stung," he said. "It stays with you."

'It was just a mess at the end': Late mistakes ruin Game 1 for Pacers vs. Celtics

On Tuesday night, the Pacers led the Celtics 117-114 in the final minute. The rest of regulation included:

∎ Tyrese Haliburton commits a turnover with 27.1 seconds left.

∎ The Pacers commit a turnover on an in-bound pass with 8.1 seconds left.

∎ Boston's Jaylen Brown hits a 3-pointer to tie the score with 6 seconds left.

The Pacers also led in overtime, but committed a couple of turnovers that allowed the Celtics to overtake them.

The Pacers suffered similar loss in Game 1 of the previous round, after they led New York with 90 seconds to go but lost 121-117.

"It's difficult, when you give away games in the playoffs, to get them back," Miller said. "I'll be curious to see how the rebound in Game 2 mentally."

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What Reggie Miller would have done differently vs. Celtics

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle and Haliburton both shouldered the blame postgame. Here's what Miller would have done late in regulation:

∎ Call a timeout with 8.1 seconds to go to advance the ball to the frontcourt.

∎ Have T.J. McConnell sub in for Myles Turner to inbound the ball.

∎ Adjust how Tyrese Haliburton defended Jrue Holiday on Boston's late inbound pass that resulted in Brown's 3-pointer.

"I tell Tyrese Haliburton, 'You've gotta keep your left foot on the baseline and make sure Jrue Holiday throws the ball to your right or to the top of the key."

Miller said Haliburton was keeping an eye on Jayson Tatum behind him, which Miller understood. However, that left an alley for Holiday to pass to Brown.

Also, Pascal Siakam did not foul Brown on the floor to prevent a 3-point attempt.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Reggie Miller on Pacers vs Celtics Game 1 of Eastern Conference finals