Heading into the Nets’ toughest test yet, Dorian Finney-Smith didn’t fail to remind the team of how it felt after last season’s final meeting with Boston.

The Nets had back-to-back dates on February 13th and 14th with the Celtics right before the All-Star break.

They were 21-31 heading into the first game of the set and their season was on a downward spiral with playoff hopes dwindling.

Game 1 saw the Nets stay competitive against the eventual NBA champions, losing by eight points.

However, the the margin in the second game was 50the second largest loss in franchise history and head coach Jacque Vaughn he was fired days later on February 19.

Finney-Smith said he told a few teammates about the experience, mainly about “how bad they kicked our ass,” as he put it 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 will include back-to-back games against the Celtics (7-2) and the undefeated Cavaliers (9-). 0), followed on Monday by the Pelicans (3-6).

“Yeah, but they beat a lot of people,” Finney-Smith said of whether the historic loss still resonates with some players. “I think a back-to-back happened right before the All-Star break. (There were) many things that happened last year, but nothing matters. I have a whole new team, a whole new system. But yeah, I definitely talked about it because it was probably the craziest game I’ve been a part of and just because we played them so well the night before and they just blew us out of there. They (have) shooters, they have a lot of shots, they (will) shoot a lot of threes. They will break the glass. It will be a good game. A big 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 yet.

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

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

They meet the Celtics in a better place this time.

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

The Nets nearly have a clean bill of health as Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton practiced Thursday after the pair took games off to manage their respective back and hamstring injuries.

They also arrive in Boston with three days off under their belts, having played five games in a seven-day span.

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

“It’s still early. You can’t go through with that now,” Finney-Smith said when asked if the Nets are gaining respect around the league. “We’ll see in January. You can ask me that question then.”

While they’re on the rise and have shown they have a new spark in winning the second game of each of their two back-to-back streaks, the Nets aren’t preparing any differently for the defending champs.

“We definitely have to go one game at a time,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said Thursday. “We don’t have to think about the back, per se. We have to think about Boston. And since they won the NBA championship last year, I think we should be excited enough to go play that team.”

Fernandez said Thursday that he sees a future lineup with Claxton and Simmons together.

Simmons started at center while Claxton dealt with the lingering effects of a preseason hamstring injury.

Simmons also rested at the end of back-to-back games and rested Monday in what was Claxton’s first start of the season.

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

“Sure, yes. Right now, with health and minutes limitations, we haven’t been able to, but we could definitely see it,” Fernandez said. “At this point, the team competed well. The groups that have been put together have worked, so I’m not saying that’s the only thing we’re going to do, but I’m open to trying different groups.”

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

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

He was previously listed as available on Nov. 1 before the Chicago game, but was later downgraded to out after aggravating it during warmups.

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

He will also travel with the team.

The second-year forward missed Monday’s game against the Grizzlies with a hip injury.