Indiana native John Mellencamp 'embarrassed' by Pat McAfee's speech pumping up Pacers fans

"Let's send these sons of b------ back to New York with their ears ringing. Let's turn this s--- up!"

Thankfully for McAfee, his words didn't come back to haunt him because the Pacers held on to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.

But John Mellencamp, who was at the game, said he was "embarrassed" when "somebody … called out" the Knicks fans.

"'Hoosier Hospitality' …I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don't know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team - and in turn, support our team. The audience booed these people. I'd say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. 

"One could only say it's poor, poor sportsmanship. I was not proud to be a Hoosier, and I've lived here my entire life. On behalf of most Hoosiers, I would like to apologize for our poor behavior. I'm sure the Pacers had nothing to do with this smackdown."

The Knicks need to win each of the next three games if they want to make it to the NBA Finals. The winner of the series will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, who will be playing for a championship for the first time since 2012.

The Knicks and Packers have failed to reach the NBA Finals during the 21st century.

Indiana defeated the Knicks in a playoff series last year.