The Nets still haven’t forgotten their historic embarrassment with the Celtics.

Heading into the Nets’ toughest test yet, Dorian Finney-Smith was quick to remind the team of how it felt after the finals against Boston last season.

The Nets had back-to-back dates on Feb. 13 and 14, and the Celtics just before the All-Star break.

They led 21-31 going into the first game of the set, and their season was in a downward spiral with playoff hopes fading.

In Game 1, the Nets remained competitive against the eventual NBA champions, losing by eight points.

However the difference in the second game was 50the second-worst loss in franchise history, and head coach Jacque Vaughn. was fired a few days later, on February 19..

Finney-Smith said he told several teammates about the experience, mostly about “how much they kicked our butts,” he said after Thursday’s practice.

The nine-year veteran forward doesn’t want to feel that way again as the Nets begin a three-game road trip Friday that includes back-to-back games against the Celtics (7-2) and the undefeated Cavaliers (9-9). 0), and on Monday – the Pelicans (3-6).

“Yeah, but they beat the hell out of a lot of people,” Finney-Smith said of whether the historic defeat still resonates with some players. “I think it was back-to-back right before the All-Star break. (Last year) a lot of things happened, but none of it matters. I have a completely new team, a completely new system. But yeah, I definitely talked about it because it was probably the craziest game I’ve been in and just because we played them so well the night before and they just pulled us out of there. They (have) shooters, they shoot a lot, (are going to) shoot a lot of threes. They are going to break the glass. It will be a good game. Great challenge. … It’s over. We’re trying to get that win tomorrow.”

The Nets went 0-4 against the Celtics last season, and the Celtics will present the team’s toughest challenge to date.

“Their crowd (is) in it. Boston fans are loyal,” Finney-Smith said. “And they are a historic organization. So they (are) going to be there. They get loud there. But I think that’s when we get closer as a team when we’re on the road.”

Not only will the Nets face the Celtics on Friday, but they will also meet again at Barclays Center just four days later.

This time they face the Celtics in a better place.

The Nets (4-4) are tied with the Pacers for third place in the East behind the Celtics and Cavaliers.

The Nets are almost completely healthy: Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton practiced Thursday after both missed the game with back strain management and hamstring injuries.

They also arrive in Boston with three days off after playing five games in seven days.

However, their schedule has been easy so far, with their toughest opponent likely being the Nuggets (5-3), a game they lost in overtime, 144-139.

“It’s still early. It’s impossible to do that right now,” Finney-Smith said when asked if the Nets have earned the respect of the league. “We’ll see in January. Then you can ask me this question.

While they are on the rise and have proven they have a new spark by winning the second game of each of the back-to-back series they have endured, the Nets are not preparing for the defending champions any differently.

“We will definitely have to take it one game at a time,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said Thursday. “We don’t need to think about mutual cooperation as such. We need to think about Boston. And since they won the NBA championship last year, I think we should be excited to play this team.”

Fernandez said Thursday that he envisions a future lineup that includes Claxton and Simmons together.

Simmons started the game at center while Claxton battled the effects of a hamstring injury suffered in the preseason.

Simmons was also rested after finishing back-to-back games and rested Monday, Claxton’s first start of the season.

The two haven’t spent much time on the court together, playing just eight minutes this season, but they’re a plus-12.

“Of course, yes. Right now, with health and minutes restrictions, we weren’t able to do that, but we could certainly see it,” Fernandez said. “The team is competing well at the moment. The bands that were put together worked, so I’m not saying that’s the only thing we’ll do, but I’m willing to try different bands.”

Trendon Watford (hamstring) will not play on the Nets’ road trip but will travel with the team.

Fernandez clarified that this is the same hamstring injury that Watford suffered on the second day of training camp.

He was previously listed as available for the Nov. 1 game against Chicago, but was later demoted to out after he aggravated the situation during warmups.

Noah Clowney is listed as questionable after missing Thursday’s practice with an illness.

He will also travel with the team.

The sophomore forward missed Monday’s game against the Grizzlies with a hip injury.