‘Loss is totally on me’: Indiana Pacers head coach takes blame for Game 1 loss to Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference Finals

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said the 133-128 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday was “totally on me” after his team snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said the 133-128 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday was “totally on me” after his team snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. The Pacers had a three-point cushion and the ball with just 10 seconds left of regulation time, but Andrew Nembhard’s inbound pass to Pascal Siakam ended up in Indiana turning the ball over. The costly mistake was punished by Jaylen Brown who leveled the scores at 117-117 with a three-pointer from the corner. The Celtics then got the better of overtime to take a series lead, leaving Carlisle to rue the missed opportunity. “I love the way our guys fought in this game. This loss is totally on me. With 10 seconds of regulation, we should have just taken the timeout, advanced the ball and found a way to get it in,” Carlisle admitted to reporters after the game at Boston’s TD Garden. “We made some other mistakes, but our guys just need to concentrate on fighting the way they fought in this game, from start to finish.” Despite Carlisle taking responsibility for the chaotic end to regulation time, it was an error strewn night from the Pacers, who tallied 22 turnovers which led to 32 points for Boston, according to ESPN.