Jae Crowder

Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) argues a foul call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, in Chicago.

(AP Photo/Matt Marton)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It's obvious why the Boston Celtics saw rebounding as a potential problem area this season, and why head coach Brad Stevens has stressed that category as a vital one to his players.

"We lost two of our best rebounders last year," Avery Bradley said, referencing the departed Jared Sullinger and Evan Turner. Even before those guys left in free agency, the Celtics finished 20th in rebound rate last season, including 26th in defensive rebound rate. Rebounding is just about the only place Al Horford doesn't count as an upgrade, and, in certain lineups around him, the Celtics give up size at almost every position.

They won't batter opponents on the glass, but they do at least want to hold their own. After Thursday night's 105-99 loss, Stevens was disappointed the Celtics surrendered 18 offensive rebounds while grabbing just three of their own. The discrepancy helped Chicago rack up 16 more field goal attempts.

"We can block out better," Stevens said Saturday morning at shootaround before a game against the Charlotte Hornets. "We can pursue the ball better. We can stay engaged in the play better. You're gonna give up some rebound when you're undersized; there's no question about that. You've got to take the luck out. You can't turn and look. You've got to go get bodies and again, they're going to get some. That's part of the game. But we need to do the best we can to minimize it."

"I think that this is where sometimes against certain teams being even is good enough," Stevens added, "or even being minus-one or minus-two on the glass is good enough. But you can't be minus-20."

One guy who really hated his team getting demolished on the boards: Jae Crowder, who looked physically pained Thursday night while discussing his club's performance. Two days later, he said he was still mad.

"Until we win tonight," Crowder said.

"We're not getting punked tonight," Crowder added. "We've got to take care of our business. Those guys are coming off a great comeback win last night. Emotions will be high for them playing their home opener. And we have to match their physicality from the start."

Crowder said effort is a big part of overcoming the rebounding issues.

"Bodies got to get on bodies," he said. "We've got to connect, and guards have to come help our bigs out a lot more. That's what we're focused on trying to do tonight."

"I don't like being punked. I don't like when a team feels like they're more physical than us. I don't like feeling like they're bringing it to us. That's something we have total control over. And as a player, I don't like that."

Smart should practice soon

Marcus Smart (sprained ankle) did not travel with the Celtics to Chicago or Charlotte, but should participate in some of Monday's practice after a day off Sunday, according to Stevens. Smart has not been ruled out of playing in Wednesday night's game against the Bulls.

"He's improving," Stevens said. "I don't have the exact return date but we'll be off tomorrow. I anticipate he'll at least go through some of Monday's practice but I don't know if he'll be live. I don't know if he'll be ready to go by Wednesday (Boston's next game after Charlotte) or not."

Crowder will see Butler again soon

Crowder said he has not talked to college teammate Jimmy Butler after the two had a brief altercation during Thursday night's game.

"But I'll see him Wednesday (when the Celtics and Bulls meet again)," Crowder said.

"Playing basketball," Crowder said of the incident. "No friends on the basketball court. I get into it with my own brother on the basketball court, so it is what it is."