Sitting on the sidelines and watching the [Eastern Conference Finals](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celtics-fans-terrifying-flashbacks-new-york-knicks-game-3-win-indiana-pacers-eastern-conference-finals) isn't something that Boston Celtics fans are used to. Boston has advanced to the third round of the playoffs in six of the past nine seasons. It had almost felt like a given, heading into this spring's postseason run.
Of course, the Celtics' season came to an early end at the hands of the New York Knicks just under two weeks ago. Knicks fans threw a second-round championship parade in the streets outside Madison Square Garden after eliminating the reigning champs.
Since then, things have gotten worse for them.
**The Pacers vs. Knicks Eastern Conference Finals has been awesome**
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday's Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers pushed the Knicks one game from elimination. Tyrese Haliburton was incredible. His 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, and four steals almost single-handedly willed the Pacers across the finish line. Just about anytime he was off the floor, things got stale for his squad. Hali wasn't completely alone, though. Pascal Siakam poured in an efficient 30 points and drilled some massive, momentum-swinging shots along the way.
Indy's 130-121 win might've been one of the worst viewing experiences imaginable for New York fans. The Knicks spent most of the night trailing, but they kept things interesting. They even took a small lead towards the end of the second quarter, but that was their last of the game. Indiana stayed ahead by five or more points for the entire second half, but the Knicks did make a push.
They cut a 15-point fourth-quarter lead down to just six in a matter of minutes, after Pat McAfee so graciously gave a NSFW welcome to some of New York's celebrity fans in attendance.
The run wasn't enough to win the game, but you'd have to imagine a large contingent of Knicks fans got some cruel false hope during that stretch.
From a basketball fan's perspective, these four games have been an incredible watch. Every single one has been competitive in the fourth quarter, stars on both sides have had great moments, and the basketball itself has been exciting to watch.
From a Celtics fan's perspective, it's also been an incredible watch. An incredible "hate watch," that is.
I mentioned that Game 4 was ONE of the worst possible viewing experiences for Knicks fans. Well, that's because Game 1 was probably the worst. New York watched a 1-0 series lead disappear in a matter of minutes when the Pacers erased a 15-point deficit to force overtime and eventually steal the game.
Oh yeah, and the overtime-forcing shot from Haliburton probably couldn't have bounced any higher before finding the bottom of the net.
Being able to focus all of your sports-rooting energy into a team's demise is truly special. There's all of the same excitement of seeing your own team succeed, without any of the devastation that comes with losing.
This has to be the sports equivalent of "turning to the dark side." The hate just makes you all the more powerful.
As an unbiased journalist, I can't wait to hit my final form when it's time to hate-watch Game 5 on Thursday.