Facing the Nets' toughest test yet, Dorian Finney-Smith made sure to remind his team how he felt after last season's final game against Boston.
The Nets played back-to-back games against the Celtics on February 13th and 14th before the All-Star break.
They entered the first set with a 21-31 record, but their season was going downhill and their playoff hopes were fading.
In the first game, the Nets remained competitive against the eventual NBA champions, losing by eight points.
against the Mavericks on November 4th. Robert Szabo of the New York Post
However, the difference in Game 2 was 50 points, the second-worst loss in franchise history, and head coach Jacque Vaughn was fired a few days later on February 19.
Finney-Smith said after Thursday's practice that he spoke to some of his teammates about the experience, mainly about “how badly they treated me.”
The nine-year veteran forward was joined by the Nets on Friday against the Celtics (7-2) and the undefeated Cavaliers (9-0), followed by the Pelicans (3-6) on Monday.
“Yeah, but they beat a lot of people,” Finney-Smith said of whether the historic loss still resonates with some players. “I think it was back-to-back right before the All-Star break. [There were] A lot happened last year, but it doesn't matter. We got a whole new team, a whole new system. But I certainly talked about it because that game was probably the craziest game I've been a part of and I played so well the night before that I just got out of there. they are [have] The archers shot a lot, [going to] Shoot a lot of threes. They're going to break the glass. It's going to be a good match. It's a great challenge. …That's it. We want to grab this victory tomorrow. ”
The Nets were 0-4 against the Celtics last season, and the Celtics will be the team's toughest challenge yet.
“Their crowd [is] among them. Boston fans are loyal,” Finney-Smith said. “And they are a historic organization; [are going to] Please be there. They make a lot of noise there. But I think it's when we get closer as a team, when we're on the road. ”
Not only will the Nets face the Celtics on Friday, they will meet again just four days later at Barclays Center.
They will face the Celtics in a better location this time.
The Nets (4-4) are tied with the Pacers for third place in the East behind the Celtics and Cavaliers.
Ben Simmons and Nic Claxton are mostly healthy for the Nets, as they practiced Thursday after missing games to manage load management with back and hamstring injuries, respectively.
They will also arrive in Boston after playing five games in seven days with three days off.
However, their schedule has been light so far, and their toughest opponent was the Nuggets (5-3), who they lost 144-139 in overtime.
“It's still early. You just can't do that right now,” Finney-Smith said when asked if the Nets have earned respect around the league. “We'll find out in January. Then you can ask that question.”
While the Nets have improved and proven to have a new spark to win Game 2 of each of the back-to-back series they have endured, nothing has changed in their preparation for the defending champions.
“We definitely have to take it game by game,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said Thursday. “We don't have to think about the back-to-back games themselves. We have to think about Boston. And they won the NBA championship last year, so we should be excited enough to play that team.” I think so.”
Fernandez said Thursday that he thinks future lineups will include Claxton and Simmons together.
Simmons started at center, while Claxton was dealing with the after-effects of a hamstring injury from preseason.
Simmons also rested after back-to-back games, and Claxton also sat out Monday, his first start of the season.
The two don't spend a lot of time together on the court, logging just eight minutes this season, but they're plus-12 minutes.
“For sure, yes, we're not able to do that at the moment because of constraints like health and time, but we'll definitely see it,” Fernandes said. “The team is competing well right now. The groups that have been put together so far are doing well, so I'm not saying this is the only thing, but I'm open to trying different groups.”
Trendon Watford (hamstring) will not participate in the Nets' road trip, but is expected to travel with the team.
Fernandes confirmed it was the same hamstring injury 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 downgraded to being out after his symptoms worsened during warmups.
Noah Clowney is listed as questionable after missing practice Thursday due to illness.
He also plans to travel with the team.
The second-year forward missed Monday's game against the Grizzlies due to a hip injury.
