Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart believes a good night's rest will be key in going up against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
"Getting sleep in this series is huge, man," Smart said in an interview with Chris Hayes of Yahoo Sports. "Because you know they're going to make you run. You have to put on your track shoes and you have to be ready. So for me, it's about being able to get my rest and a good night's sleep. My conditioning is there to keep up with these guys, but you have to be fresh for them."
Smart, the 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year, has also been focused on studying Stephen Curry, whom he figures to spend much of the series matched up against.
"My first Finals appearance going against one of the greatest who has been here and done it multiple times as the best shooters we have ever seen," Smart said. "I just take the assignment like any other matchup, but this one I'm probably focused a bit more. I'm studying every aspect of his game, just making sure I try to understand to the best of my ability."
Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off Thursday at Chase Center.
