Celtics' Crowder: 'If we don't rebound, we don't win the series'

The Boston Celtics are a better all-around team than the eighth-seeded Chicago Bulls, but they do have one glaring weakness: rebounding.

Chicago pounded Boston's undersized frontcourt for 20 offensive rebounds to steal Game 1 on the road. That can't happen again, says Celtics forward Jae Crowder.

“(Rebounding) was the game. That's the game. That's the series," Crowder told ESPN's Chris Forsberg. "If we don't rebound, we don't win the series. It's simple."

The Bulls' offense was stuck in the mud for most of Sunday, but they routinely cashed in on extra possessions. Chicago attempted five more field goals and scored 23 second-chance points by crashing the glass at every opportunity.

Robin Lopez collected seven offensive rebounds, Rajon Rondo snuck in for five, while Jimmy Butler collected three of his own.

These results aren't particularly surprising considering how the regular season played out. Chicago had the fourth-highest offensive rebounding percentage, while the Celtics were the fourth-worst team on the defensive glass.

The Bulls also have more size across the board as compared to the Celtics. Lopez is stronger and more physical than any of Boston's bigs. Rondo is bigger and rangier than both Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley. Crowder is built, but Butler is even stronger.

"It's a team effort. That's a big key to winning that game," Celtics center Amir Johnson said. "I thought our half-court defense was pretty good besides (the fact that) it seemed like, if they put up a shot and missed, they got the ball and put the ball back in the basket. Our half-court defense was definitely up to par. We just gotta rebound."