Bulls need to finish off improved defense by grabbing more rebounds

Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg, left, talks with guard Zach LaVine during the first half of the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday in Chicago. Associated Press

The Bulls defense is improving, but stopping the opponent also involves securing the defensive rebound, and that part has been a struggle.

As of Sunday morning, the Bulls ranked 29th in the NBA in rebound differential and 27th in offensive rebounds allowed.

They lost one game on a last-second putback basket two weeks ago against Denver. On Saturday at the United Center, Cleveland got two chances at a game-winning hoop, but Ryan Arcidiacono managed to force a miss from rookie guard Collin Sexton and Jabari Parker blocked Sexton's putback attempt as time expired.

The Bulls lost the rebound battle to the Cavaliers 53-38, as both Larry Nance Jr. and Tristan Thompson boarded in the double digits. The offensive rebounds were 15-5 in favor of Cleveland.

"In my opinion, if we can get the rebounding to where we need and finish off possessions, that's what is going to take us to the next level (defensively)," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said Sunday at the Advocate Center.

A young roster and too many injuries are probably valid excuses, but the Bulls still need to get better on the boards. Rookie Wendell Carter Jr. has been starting at center all year, while power forwards Lauri Markkanen and Bobby Portis are out with injuries. Hoiberg has turned to veteran center Robin Lopez to help with rebounds, but they're also using rookie Chandler Hutchison at times as an undersized power forward.

"Some of it is our roster," Hoiberg said. "A lot of our front-line guys who are good rebounders, specifically Bobby and Lauri, are out. Kris Dunn is a very good rebounder for his position. Denzel (Valentine) is a good rebounder.

"I give Chandler Hutchison a lot of credit. He has really increased his physicality and toughness out there. Wendell's two-handed rebounding for a 19-year-old is very impressive. But it has to be a commitment. We still have guys leaking out on the perimeter. It has to be a five-man effort to finish off the possession."

Portis was the Bulls' top rebounder at 10.0 per game, but played in just four contests before suffering a knee injury. Of the healthy players, Carter is averaging a team-best 7.7 rebounds and Parker 6.7.

Better news is how Carter has jumped right into being a basket protector. After recording 3 blocks against the Cavs, the rookie from Duke is tied for 7th among NBA leaders with 2.1 blocks per game.

He showed nice awareness early in the game by waiting in the paint, sliding over to "tag" his man, Tristan Thompson, to avoid a defensive three-second violation, then cross the lane again to block a layup attempt by Jordan Clarkson.

"For Clarkson, I knew he wanted to get a shot up, so I knew he wasn't going to pass the ball," Carter said Sunday. "So I knew that was a perfect opportunity for me to come over for the help-side defense."

Carter credited an accurate scouting report for the Clarkson analysis. Duke played mostly zone defense last season so he's been a quick study on the nuances of the NBA game.

"The guy I give credit for helping him with that is Robin," Hoiberg said, referring to the defensive three-second rule. "He's really good at getting in the lane and tagging as guys come through.

"We had a day in practice where Robin really pulled him aside and talked to him about the art of the tag and cleansing yourself and getting a new 2.9 (seconds). Robin has helped Wendell with some of the rule changes in the league."

Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls