TNT Sports has announced its commentators for its coverage of the second round of the NBA Playoffs this week, which includes an Eastern Conference showdown between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks. The first and second game of the series will be broadcast on TNT and truTV and available to stream on Max and will feature play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson, analyst Stan Van Gundy and reporter Chris Haynes. Longtime Indiana Pacers forward and TNT Sports analyst Reggie Miller will join the broadcast team for the second game of the series since he will be on the Western Conference Semifinals game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets on Monday night at 10 p.m. EST.
As a notorious nemesis to the New York Knicks with his deluge of clutch shots and key plays over the years against the team, Miller is often met with animus and hostility when he shows up to Madison Square Garden. During an appearance on Monday’s edition of the Dan Patrick Show ahead of his arrival in New York City later in the week, he divulged the reception he usually receives when he returns to the venue.
“During a regular season game, it’s really nothing,” Miller said. “I think it’ll be a little bit more heightened on Wednesday because there’s more at stake – let’s face it, right?”
One of Miller’s memorable moments playing against the Knicks came in June 1994 when he hit five three-point shots in the fourth quarter to cement a Game 5 win for the Pacers. Although the Knicks ended up winning the series and later losing in the NBA Finals to the Houston Rockets, Miller clutched his neck to signify that the team had choked the game away. The gesture was directed towards acclaimed filmmaker and diehard Knicks fan Spike Lee, who was sitting courtside for the contest. Both the Pacers and Knicks maintained a heated rivalry during the 1990s resulting in various games that stand the test of time.
“I’m looking forward to it, and for those of you wondering why I’m doing this game, it’s the same reason why Tony Romo or Troy Aikman, they do Dallas Cowboys games,” Miller said. “It’s going to be down the middle, right? That’s how it is. My job is to call it like I see it, so there won’t be any favoritism. For 18 years, was I an Indiana Pacer? Absolutely. But I’m sure I’ll hear the chants; I’m sure I’ll hear all those naughty words. I’m good with that, but I’m there to do a job to call a game.”
Patrick then asked Miller if he gets booed every time he shows up to Madison Square Garden, to which he replied that it is indeed the case. While the upcoming game will represent Miller’s first Knicks assignment for the season, he has called many of their games before on national television. In fact, he recently inked a long-term extension with TNT Sports to continue serving as an analyst on live game broadcasts. This week, Miller expects to hear more jeers as both teams vie to move closer to attaining a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
“I will be surprised during the game if I don’t hear ‘Reggie sucks,’” Miller said. “Actually, I’ll be a little hurt if I don’t hear, ‘Reggie sucks.’ I kind of want that.”
