Call it sad. Call it cope. Call it pathetic. Call it whatever you want. [Hate-watching](https://hardwoodhoudini.com/boston-celtics-hate-watching-new-york-knicks-indiana-pacers-eastern-conference-finals-lovely-experience-fans) the Eastern Conference finals was incredible.
The Indiana Pacers did a tremendous service to Boston Celtics fans (and pretty much everyone, if we're being honest) everywhere, beating the New York Knicks in six games and preventing any more championship (playoff game win) parades in the streets of Manhattan.
Game 6 was a fantastic hate-watching experience. The hoops were good. Both teams exchanged blows in the first half, with each responding to the other's scoring runs. Even when Indiana put together a strong close to the second quarter, OG Anunoby responded with a buzzer-beating jumper to cut their lead to just four points heading into the break.
From that point on, the Pacers dialed up the intensity and it won them the game. They hounded Jalen Brunson every time he touched the ball, kept Mitchell Robinson off of the offensive glass (he literally had no offensive rebounds in the second half), and continued to push the pace, as they'd done the entire series.
New York never got within seven points after halftime. The final five minutes of regulation felt like a party at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with Tyrese Haliburton's near-halfcourt bomb of a three serving as an exclamation point.
It was also fantastic to watch Thomas Bryant, who played just nine minutes in Games 2-5, become an adopted Splash Brother. The Indiana alumni drilled three triples en route to 11 points in the series-clinching win.
Shout out to 'em.
New York Knicks v Indiana Pacers - Game Six | Justin Casterline/GettyImages
**Is it possible that the city of New York overreacted to beating the Celtics?**
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Listen, when a team goes 25 years between conference finals appearances, the fans are going to get excited. It's just part of what being a fan is, especially when you're beyond starved for any sort of success.
Now, not every fanbase is going to get "let's throw garbage at Brian Windhorst" excited. I can tell you that.
Most fanbases won't even get "let's throw trash at the guy in the opposing team's jersey" excited (even if his wardrobe choice might not have been the brightest).
None of this behavior should affect the way that people view the team's players, who all seem like pretty good guys. Even Karl-Anthony Towns, who has more emote celebrations than a Fortnite character and, by his account, has never committed a foul, has an excellent [off-court resume](https://www.si.com/nba/karl-anthony-towns-promise-reporter-daughter) of character.
The players shouldn't be tied into the city's embarrassing decision to rename streets after them after beating the Celtics, either. They didn't ask for it. But, whoever greenlit that either needs to be fired or celebrated as a sleeper-cell Brooklyn Nets fan who happens to work for the city of New York.
I, personally, can't wait for the footage of those signs being taken down to surface on Twitter/X. It's going to feel like Christmas.
As much as people want to cry online about how the ratings are going to be down in the NBA Finals, it'll be nice to enjoy these games without having to see a different celebrity looking for attention as they sit courtside in their dumb blue and orange outfits.
On behalf of Celtics fans everywhere, I would like to thank the Pacers for their Herculean effort and congratulate on them on the NBA Finals berth. As for what I'm going to do with myself now that #HateWatch is over, maybe I'll channel all of that energy into a #ThankWatch and continue to support Indiana on the big stage.